SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Leaving no doubt that he’ll be ready for the Rio Olympics, Michael Phelps turned in his fastest time in the 200-meter butterfly since setting the world record in a high-tech suit six years ago.
Phelps’ stunner — 1 minute, 52.94 seconds at the U.S. national championships — came after months of lackluster performances and problems away from the pool.
It would have been good enough for gold at the 2012 London Olympics, where he finished second behind Chad le Clos’ time of 1:52.96, or to win at this year’s world championships in Kazan, Russia, where Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh took the title in 1:53.