RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Now that his flag-carrying duties are out of the way, Michael Phelps is eager to get started on his fifth Olympics.
That will likely come Sunday in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, a title the Americans are gunning to reclaim after getting chased down by the French in 2012.
Phelps’ expected debut would be one of the highlights on the second day of swimming at the Rio Games, though he’d have to share the spotlight with Katie Ledecky.
She’ll be seeking the first of an expected three individual gold medals, going in as a heavy favorite in the 400 freestyle. The only suspense seems to be whether she’ll break her own world record.
Ledecky already picked up her first medal of the games, anchoring the women’s 4x100 free relay to a silver-medal finish behind Australia on Saturday.
Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, wants to do his part for the men’s relay team.
“That’s something I’ve had the privilege to be a part of since 2004, and I’m hoping to have the opportunity again,” Phelps said. “It’s always super-fast and there are always some wild, crazy splits that take place.”
In 2008, the Americans memorably defeated the French when Jason Lezak rallied against Alain Bernard with the fastest 100 split in history, a victory that kept Phelps on course to win a record eight gold medals in Beijing.
Four years ago, the French got their revenge when Yannick Agnel caught Ryan Lochte on the anchor leg.
This time, it’s hardly a two-country race.
The Australians figure to be in the mix, especially riding the momentum of an impressive opening night at the pool. They captured two gold medals, also taking the men’s 400 free when Mack Horton held off defending Olympic champion Sun Yang of China, doubling up on the one gold medal they managed during their disappointing performance at the 2012 London Games.
“You can probably pick three or four teams that are going to have a chance to win that relay,” Phelps said. “The Australians made a significant charge over the past couple of years with their men’s and women’s teams combined. A lot of younger guys really stepped up, and that brings more excitement to the sport.”
The Americans are eager for gold after getting shut out on the first night of swimming, settling for three silvers. It was a first time they failed to win at least one race during an Olympic finals session at the pool since Aug. 14, 2008 - the lone day Phelps didn’t go for gold in Beijing.
Phelps has been part of the 4x100 free relay at the last three Olympics, even though the 100 free has never been one of his individual specialties. It’s unfathomable that the Americans would leave off a swimmer with 18 golds and 22 medals overall, especially after a dismal performance at last year’s worlds when the U.S. didn’t even qualify for the final - a performance that was especially galling to Phelps, who had to sit out the meet as part of his punishment for a second drunken-driving arrest.
“I do know that the coaching staff will put out the four fastest guys, whoever that is,” Phelps said coyly. “I’m looking forward to either watching or being in that race.”
Also on tap for the second day of swimming: finals in the women’s 100 butterfly, in which Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom is favored to take down defending champion Dana Vollmer of the U.S., and the men’s 100 breaststroke, where Adam Peaty of Britain already took down his own world record during the preliminaries.
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