Michael Phelps' grueling schedule at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials has gotten a bit easier. He won't be competing in the 400-meter freestyle.
The event was one of nine Phelps had entered during the eight-day meet that begins Sunday. But his name was absent from the 400 free heat sheets released Saturday night. The move wasn't unexpected because Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, had hinted that he would drop the event.
Phelps will still be in action on opening day, competing in the 400 individual medley, in which he owns the world record. He will be challenged by Ryan Lochte, who entered a staggering 11 events but isn't expected to swim them all. They will swim the 400 IM preliminaries in the morning, with the final in the evening.
