STOCKHOLM (AP) — Michael Phelps was second in the 200-meter medley final at the short-course World Cup on Wednesday as he continued to struggle to meet expectations in the old-style suit that will become standard next year.
Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, clocked 1 minute 53.93 seconds, more than two seconds behind South Africa's Darian Townsend, who won in 1:51.79.
"I'm swimming OK," Phelps said, adding his time "wasn't bad."
"I haven't practiced regularly."
Earlier, Phelps failed to qualify for the 100 butterfly final after ending 11th in qualifying heats in 51.06 seconds. Kaio Almeida of Brazil was fastest in 50.34.
It was the third final that Phelps missed at the meet. On Tuesday he failed to qualify for the finals of the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, in which he was disqualified for swimming too long under water.
His coach, Bob Bowman, has said he wants Phelps, competing for the first time since the world championships in August, to use the old-style suit in the lead-up to the U.S. championships next year.
