Bob Bowman was convinced, for no particular reason, that Michael Phelps would perform terribly going into the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
It turned out to be the best meet of his life. Coach and swimmer agree Phelps was in better shape in 2007 than at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Phelps won all five of his individual events in Melbourne, plus two relays, with five world records total. A preliminary medley relay disqualification, which did not involve Phelps, kept him from winning eight gold medals.
How does Bowman’s incorrect prediction factor into next week’s U.