AP
Michael Phelps failed to finish first or second in any event at a meet for the first time in recent memory at a Pro Swim Series stop in Charlotte over the weekend.
The 22-time Olympic medalist finished third, seventh, ninth, ninth and 11th in five events spanning three days (full results here).
“After seeing the performance of some of the people that we’ve seen this weekend, I think it’s probably a good thing that I’m not going to Worlds,” Phelps told media in Charlotte, referencing the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, in August, which he is ineligible for due to his punishment following a September DUI arrest.