I'm not in great shape, says Phelps before Berlin event
Olympic swimming gold medallist Michael Phelps of the U.S. waits for his fans before an autograph signing session in Berlin, November 13 2009. Phelps is in Berlin to participate in the Swimming World Cup 2009.
Credit: Reuters/Pawel Kopczynski
BERLIN (Reuters) - Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is not expecting to produce any eye-popping displays at this weekend's World Cup event in the German capital.
"I'll be the first to admit I'm not in the greatest shape," Phelps told reporters.
The American, who unlike most other swimmers has opted to spurn the high-tech bodysuit which will be banned from January 1, failed to win a single event at this week's Stockholm meeting.
"I have not spent the time I need in the water to prepare myself so I had to deal with that," said Phelps.
This weekend he will face Germany's Paul Biedermann, who broke the American's world record when he beat him to win the 200 meters freestyle final at this year's world championships.
"I am going to get up and race as hard as I can, I tell you that," said Phelps.
Biedermann will compete despite nursing a muscle injury.
"I will be swimming. It's not as bad as it might look or as it was portrayed," said the German.
(Writing by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Tony Jimenez)
