Phelps pulls out of 200m IM at Pan-Pacs

IRVINE, Calif. -- Michael Phelps has withdrawn from the 200m individual medley at the Pan-Pacific Swimming Championships. His coach Bob Bowman made the announcement at an impromptu press conference Saturday morning.

Bowman said the decision was "mutual" between swimmer and coach. Phelps told him Bowman he didn't think he had enough left in the tank for the medley.

He will still swim the medley relay this evening.

"It's gonna take three really good swims to get through that, and at this point neither one of us feel like he's got three really good ones," Bowman said. "But he's definitely gonna be on the relay tonight, he has a responsibility to do that.

"He said something like, ‘I don't know if I could do all of these tonight. And I agree. I can tell. When I saw his eyes last night [after the 400m freestyle relay], that was a really great swim, but it took just about everything."

Bowman was asked if Phelps was simply afraid of losing to Ryan Lochte, who beat Phelps in the 200m IM at Nationals and who has five gold medals (to Phelps's four) at these Pan-Pacs.

"No, I don't think that's it," Bowman replied. "I think the reason he strongly considered doing [the 200m IM] is I think he feels he's letting the fans down by not being there. But he doesn't want to let his teammates down by not being on the relay.

"I just think he's not in condition to do it."

While standing on the medal stand with their 400m freestyle relay medals Friday night, Phelps and Lochte were seen laughing and joking. Afterward, Lochte said the duo was cracking up about how "this 200 IM is going to sting."

Lochte was the fastest qualifier in Saturday morning's 200m IM heats. He spoke about Phelps' withdrawl after his swim.

"I was kind of upset, I was actually looking forward to racing him again in the 200 IM," Lochte said. "I know he's a racer and he loves to race. It was kind of surprising when he pulled out but he has his own reasons why. I'm sure they're good."