Michael Phelps wins 200m butterfly, qualifies for Rio Olympics

  • 30/06/2016
Michael Phelps  (AAP)
Michael Phelps (AAP)

By Paul Newberry

Swimming great Michael Phelps has won the 200m butterfly at the US Olympic trials to qualify for the Rio Games.

Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, held off a stiff challenge from Tom Shields to win the 200m butterfly at the US swimming trials in Omaha, Nebraska.

Phelps whipped around to look at his time - a bit slower than he probably would've liked - and held up all five fingers on his right hand.

Yep, it's Olympics No.5, making him the first male swimmer to compete in that many Summer Games.

Phelps, who retired after the last Olympics but soon reversed his decision, took the 200 fly in 1:54.84 - far off the world record of 1:51.51 he set at the 2009 world championships while wearing one of the high-tech suits that have since been banned.

But there's time to work on his speed between now and Rio. For now, Phelps is thrilled to be going back to the Olympics, where he'll get a chance to add to the already staggering amount of hardware he's accumulated at the last four Olympics: 18 golds and 22 medals overall.

Going along for the ride this time is his first child, seven-week-old Boomer, who watched from the stands in the arms of his mom.

The infant wore noise-canceling headphones adorned with American flags so he wouldn't be startled by the huge roar that went up when his daddy touched the wall first.

AP