OMAHA (Nebraska), June 29: Michael Phelps booked himself into another event at the London Olympics when he won the 200 metres butterfly final at the US swimming trials on Thursday.
The greatest Olympian of all time remained on course to emulate his incredible eight-gold haul from Beijing four years ago with another powerful display in America's midwest. The 26-year-old powered away from his rivals over the final two laps to win in one minute 53.65 seconds.
Phelps's Baltimore club team-mate Allison Schmitt clinched her second individual swim in the English capital when she won the women's 200m freestyle final ahead of teenage sensation Missy Franklin.
Schmitt followed up her impressive victory in the 400m freestyle on Monday when she led all the way to win the 200m in 1:54.40, the quickest time recorded since synthetic bodysuits were banned at the end of 2009.
Franklin, who won the 100m backstroke final on Wednesday, finished second in 1:56.79 to seal her second individual swim and her third overall with the top six finishers all securing places in the 4x200m freestyle relay.
Caitlin Leverenz won the women's 200m individual medley to earn her second swim in London after finishing runner-up in the 400m medley. Ariana Kukors, the world record holder, flashed home over the last length to grab second spot.—Reuters