Phelps enters nine events at U.S. swimming trials

NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Michael Phelps, eyeing Mark Spitz's Olympic record of seven gold medals at a single Games, has entered nine individual events in next week's U.S. trials.

Winner of six gold and two bronze medals at the Athens Games, Phelps will have to qualify alongside other hopefuls in Omaha, Nebraska for each event in which he hopes to compete at the Beijing Olympics in August.

His name was down for the 100, 200 and 400 meters freestyle, the 200 and 400 individual medley, the 100 and 200 backstroke and the 100 and 200 butterfly in heat sheets issued by USA Swimming on Wednesday.

Phelps, recognized as one of swimming's all-time greats, has set his sights on surpassing the seven gold medals piled up by fellow American Spitz at the Munich Games in 1972.

He is unlikely to swim nine individual events in Beijing even if he qualifies for them all but should also be in the U.S. relay teams.

Katie Hoff has also planned a busy program at the U.S. trials, which take place from June 29 to July 6 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hoff, at 15 the youngest member of the U.S. swimming team at the Athens Games, has entered seven events in her bid to appear at her second Olympics.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Ed Osmond)