Phelps high on five

MONTREAL – If Michael Phelps had to deal with failure, this wasn’t a bad way to do it:

Five gold medals, plus a silver, at the biggest meet outside the Olympics.

Then again, Phelps was admittedly humbled by his performance at the World Swimming Championships, where he failed to set a world record, didn’t even qualify for the final of one event and was soundly beaten in a mano a mano with butterfly rival Ian Crocker.

Phelps has enjoyed the trappings of fame since his six-gold, eight-medal romp through the Athens Olympics. He’s toured the country teaching swimming to youngsters. He’s made the talk-show rounds. He’s done photo shoots and worked on a documentary. He’s even judged a beauty pageant.

All fun and well-deserved, but the 20-year-old Phelps knows it’s time to spend more time in the water – specifically, more time with his coach, Bob Bowman, going through those grueling workouts that make the difference between winning and losing.

“Bob has clearly stated that he’s dropping the bomb on me,” Phelps said. “Hopefully we can change a few things in the upcoming year and improve on this.”

There’s still a few commitments to fulfill. Phelps will join his American teammates at the “Duel in the Pool” against Australia today, remain in southern California for the U.S. nationals, and head to China – site of the 2008 Olympics – for a promotional appearance on behalf of one of his sponsors. He’s also allotted some time for a little R&R back home in Baltimore, where he hopes to take in a Ravens football game.

Then, it’s back to work. Phelps can’t wait to resume putting in the hours and hours of anonymous training, the kind that helped him become the first swimmer in history to break five world records in a single meet.

Phelps pulled off that feat at the 2003 world championships in Barcelona. He didn’t come close to dominating that way in Montreal even though his medal count actually was better than it was two years ago, when he won four golds and two silvers. This time, his numbers were padded by three golds as part of the powerful U.S. relay teams.

“I’m satisfied in a way because this is an eye opener for me,” Phelps said. “I didn’t have the success I’ve always been able to have. I learned a lot.”

U.S. men’s team coach Dave Salo agreed, knowing that an athlete of Phelps’ caliber usually responds well to adversity.

“It’s good for him not to be successful all the time,” Salo said. “That will be better for him in the long run.”

While Phelps was viewed as a bit of a letdown in Montreal, there were plenty of highlights at the world aquatic championships:

“ The Americans won 15 golds and 32 medals overall in swimming, their biggest haul at the worlds since 1978. On the men’s side, Aaron Peirsol and Brendan Hansen matched Phelps with two individual golds apiece, and the U.S. team swept the relays. Meanwhile, a new generation emerged for the women. Both 16-year-old Katie Hoff and 17-year-old Kate Ziegler captured two golds of their own, while 18-year-old Jessica Hardy set a world record in her first international event. Said Phelps, “It’s great for us coming off an Olympics to have a team like this.”

“ The Australians, as always, were the Americans’ main rival. The women’s team from Down Under was spectacular, winning 10 golds and 15 of their country’s 22 total medals. Leisel Jones finally showed she could win a big race and Jess Schipper ripped off her best times ever. Grant Hackett ably stepped into the void left by countryman Ian Thorpe, who decided to skip the worlds. Hackett was chosen the top male swimmer, winning three individual gold medals and breaking Thorpe’s world record in the 800-meter freestyle.

“ Kirsty Coventry led a strong showing by the African nations, winning two golds, two silvers and the award as top female. Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling gave the South Africans five medals overall.

“ In diving, China kept up its domination with five golds and 12 medals, though Alexandre Despatie thrilled the home fans by winning two golds. Laura Wilkinson won the Americans’ lone gold, while teammate Chelsea Davis provided the most horrifying moment when her face struck the board. She was bloodied but not seriously hurt.

“ Hungary was upset by Serbia-Montenegro in men’s water polo, but the Hungarian women made up for it with an overtime victory over the defending champion Americans. Russia ruled in synchronized swimming, while FINA, the sport’s governing body, kept up its push to make open-water swimming a part of the Olympic program.

“ Montreal, which nearly lost the championships because of financial problems, announced a loss of more than $3.2 million, fell short of its projected ticket sales but still pulled off the event surprisingly well with only a few months to prepare. Melbourne unveiled its plans for the next world championships in 2007, which will include a temporary pool at Rod Laver Arena – the spectacular home of Australian Open tennis.