On April 24th, 2014, Michael Phelps officially made his competitive swimming comeback, marking his pursuit towards the 2016 Olympics. However, on September 30th of that same year, Phelps was arrested with a DUI charge that resulted in ‘a mutual agreement’ that he would not be on the 2015 Worlds Championships team. While Phelps could not compete at the World Championships in 2015, he was still eligible to compete at the 2015 U.S. Nationals. Phelps pushed forward with his training, but needed to prove to himself that he was ready for Rio.
Coincidental Dates
While Phelps also had the 200 fly and 200 IM in his focus, themen’s 100 fly finals at both the U.S. Nationals and World Championships were scheduled on the same date, August 8th, 2015. Phelps was now in an optimal position to redeem himself of losing his Worlds spot, paving a new goal for himself in 2015: to become the unofficial 100 fly World champion with the top time in the world. However, this would be a more difficult goal to achieve than what one would think.
One hour before the start of the men’s 100 fly preliminaries at U.S. Nationals, South African Chad le Clos won the men’s 100 fly World title at 50.56. In order for Phelps to become the unofficial World champion in the 100 fly, he would have to beat le Clos’ 50.56. Phelps’ last swim under 51 seconds was at the 2012 Olympics, where he swam 50.86 in semi-finals before clinching the Olympic title in 51.21.
Roughly an hour later, Phelps won the last heat of the men’s 100 fly prelims at the U.S. Nationals with a 52.12, qualifying 2nd into the A-final. While the World final was 24 hours after semi-finals, Phelps only had roughly 9 hours between prelims and finals at nationals. On top of the smaller recovery, Phelps would have to pace his own race to hit 50.55 or faster since no other American in the 2015 national final had swum under 51 seconds.
Racing Against the Clock
When watching the 2015 World final, the last 30 meters was a shear dog-fight towards the wall. Luckily, Phelps’ back-half speed is his racing specialty. About 10 hours after the World final, Phelps dove in to the national 100 fly final. He opened his race in a 24.10, marking Phelps’ 6th-fastest opening 50 from any major international final. After surging to the lead off the wall, the rest of the race would have to be up to Phelps racing against the clock.
At the finish, Phelps clocked in a 50.45, officially marking the fastest male 100 fly time in 2015. When Phelps closed his race, he split 26.35, which marked his fastest closing 50 stacked against his other closing 50s at a major international 100 fly final. His 2015 national title time became his 3rd-fastest performance ever and fastest textile swim.
Fastest Closing 50s: Major International 100 Fly Finals |
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| Rank | Final | 1st 50 | 2nd 50 | Time |
| 1 | 2015 U.S. Nationals | 24.10 | 26.35 | 50.45 |
| 2 | 2009 Worlds | 23.36 | 26.46 | 49.82 |
| 3 | 2003 Worlds | 24.61 | 26.49 | 51.10 |
| 4 | 2008 Olympics | 24.04 | 26.54 | 50.58 |
| 5 | 2014 Pan Pacs | 24.62 | 26.67 | 51.29 |
| 6 | 2011 Worlds | 23.94 | 26.77 | 50.71 |
| 7 | 2007 Worlds | 23.99 | 26.78 | 50.77 |
Best 100 Fly Times All-Time |
Best 100 Fly Times Since 2010* |
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| Rank | Time | Meet | Rank | Time | Meet |
| 1 | 49.82 | 2009 World Champs | 1 | 50.45 | 2015 U.S. Nationals |
| 2 | 50.22 | 2009 U.S. Nationals | 2 | 50.65 | 2010 U.S. Nationals |
| 3 | 50.45 | 2015 U.S. Nationals | 3 | 50.71 | 2011 World Champs |
| 4 | 50.48 | 2009 Quebec Cup | 4 | 50.86 | 2010 Pan Pacs |
| 4 | 50.48 | 2009 World Champs | 4 | 50.86 | 2012 Olympics |
*not including swims after 8/5/16
I’m not sure I completely buy in to these comparisons. There’s way too many variables to consider that just comparing times seems unfair. First of all, WC swims require semi finals, so that’s at least 3 more raced that would add fatigue. Second, Phelps would most likely be on 3 more relays. So we’re up to 6 additional events. Finally, international travel probably takes more of a toll.
I have to say I felt bad for Laszlo when in an interview he was asked about Phelps faster time.
Great article Nick, thanks. Did anyone notice David Nolan got third in that race?
I remember watching every single race and running around the house reading the headlines. My laptop background has been the picture of
Phelps and Conger on the block before the race since 2015 (5 years). Nothing was better for the swimming world and swim needs then Le Clos talking smack and Phelps responding and even acknowledging the comments! Usually he is a strict (speak through actions) kind of guy. Made the 2016 200 fly duel electric!
Yes great point. That he brought up le Clos’ time was very out of character for his public persona – and kind of a special moment I think.
A rocky vs Apollo kind of fight. Have swimming the news we needed
It was SO hot at that meet. I remember over 100 degrees at 6 pm finals time. Grandmas and babies were passing out. All the tracks for camera equipment and fanfare due to MP being there was impressive. But the sun beating down on those bleachers made it hard to watch. Glad we did!
Yes, used to live in SA (before they built that particular stadium) & the humid heat could be really oppressive. I recall around the turn of the century, one summer when there were four days in a row averaging 110. It was like a blast furnace when opening the car door. Thank goodness for AC.
Swims after 8/5/16?
Wouldn’t put it past the GOAT to bust out a 49.9 while demonstrating to Boomer how to swim fly.
*in yards.
I am a firm believer that MP overtrained for Rio. The high volume training that worked so well for him when he was younger didn’t jive with his older body. That’s why he was so much faster in 2015 with less of a training base.
See above comment where Bob Bowman admitted over-training MP for Rio. It is true.
Phelps always did better swims in the previous year.
2003/2007/2011/2015 was better than Olympic year (the swims not achievements)
Always think he was a little fresher.
2015 he would of been fit and healthy for a 4 day meet (200fly , 200IM , 200brs and 100fly)
Bob always overtrained him in Olympic year to deal with heats semis and finals, plus relays as the standard is higher. 100fly at end of Meet was never that fast (for phelps) he only ever went 50 point in the final in 2008 in a suit. Even in 2012 he was 50 in the semi but 51 in final.
By the time the 100 fly final rolled around in Rio, he had so many cupping marks he looked like he’d been assaulted by an octopus.
lol
Poor octopus never stood a chance
Kings stay kings
Bob commented that yes, he had over-trained MP before Rio. Also, for 2015, MP said he had never been so “cut” , meaning the obvious muscle definition everyone noticed (how could we not?).
I loved how he swam the 200 breast at this meet as well. Idk, something about the GOAT coming out of retirement and swimming an off event for a little fun at the age of 30/31/32… I forget how old he was.
He also tied Reece Whitley in the 200 breast at that meet
He also broke the NBAC record for it, held by Scott Spann. That was fun.
2:11 as well, nothing to be sniffed at. It’s a borderline semi-final time at Worlds/Olympics.