NEW YORK: Michael Phelps has left open the possibility that he could try to match, or even surpass, his record golden haul at the London Olympic Games.
Phelps won an unprecedented eight gold medals at the last Olympics in Beijing in 2008 after winning six in Athens four years earlier but has kept silent about how many he will tackle in London.
The 26-year-old, who has already confirmed he will retire from swimming after London, was expected to reduce his Olympic programme after admitting he had lacked motivation.
But when the entry lists for next week’s US Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska, were released on Wednesday, Phelps was down for seven individual events.
Added to three relays that Phelps swam in Athens and Beijing, that would give him a total of 10 events, a spectacular finale from the most successful Olympian of all time.
However, it is unlikely Phelps would swim all 10 events as swimmers often add extra events to the trials just as a back-up.
As expected, Phelps entered the same five individual events he swam in Athens and Beijing, although he had previously said he was quitting the 400m medley, his most gruelling event.
He also entered the 100 freestyle, which he needs to contest to qualify for the 4x100m freestyle relay, and 200m backstroke, which he also entered at the last trials but did not swim at the Olympics.
Phelps faces stiff competition from his compatriot, Ryan Lochte, the outstanding swimmer at last year’s world championships in Shanghai.
Lochte has entered 11 individual events for the trials, including six where he will line up against Phelps. (Reuters)
