Michael Phelps has dominated the world swimming scene for more years than most people can remember.
Is there life after Phelps? Swimming world hopes so. Photo: Sowetan Live
Since first winning 200 metre butterfly gold at the world championships in Fukuoka in Japan in 2001, Phelps added 25 gold medals, six silver and one bronze – and that from the worlds alone.
In between world championships, he became the most successful Olympian by a long shot as he won 18 golds, two silver and two bronze between 2004 and 2012.
However, the American superstar retired at age 27 at the end of the London Olympics and the 14th FINA world championships, which are being held from July 19 to August 4 in Barcelona, is the first major meet since 2000 in which Phelps will not participate.
Even without Phelps, the United States are sending a very strong team to Barcelona and are the favourites to top the medal standings in the swimming competition which starts on Sunday.
South Africans, meanwhile, are hoping for another stand-out performance from Chad le Clos, who beat Phelps in the 200m butterfly in London. The 21-year-old will swim in the three butterfly events in Barcelona and said beating Phelps had meant so much to him.
“I am now going into a world championships as the man having a target on his back and that is different for me but I just have to prepare for the race as I usually do.
“My whole career was about, with respect, trying to beat Michael Phelps. I always wanted to race the best in world,” he said in a press conference in Barcelona. – SAPA-DPA
Related articles
Phelps and le Clos swim with sharks
Swimming looks to life after Phelps
Swimming World Championships With Phelps retired, Le Clos seeks new inspiration
