Phelps closer to taking Thorpe’s crown

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Swimming superman Michael Phelps’ path to collecting Ian Thorpe’s 200m freestyle crown has been cleared.

The Thorpedo opened the door for the American superstar to win the four-lap event by skipping July’s world swimming championships in Montreal.

But it was Pieter van den Hoogenband’s decision this weekend to also miss the Canadian meet that firmed the Baltimore Bullet as the hot favourite for the event.

Thorpe has owned the 200m since being defeated by the Dutchman at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the pair finished 1-2 at last year’s Athens Games.

Phelps collected bronze on his way to eight medals and is expected to make a significant improvement as he shifts his focus more towards freestyle this year.

The 200m final in Greece was labelled the race of the century but Thorpe and van den Hoogenband’s unavailability for Canada has taken some gloss off the meet.

“It is the same with Ian not being there, it is very disappointing that we are not going to have the two fastest 200m freestylers in that field,” said Phelps.

“And the world record holder in the 100 metres (in van den Hoogenband) not there but everybody makes those decisions for a reason and we are going to have go along with that.”

The ultra-versatile American enjoys nothing more than a challenge as his decision to compete in the 200m freestyle final in Athens displayed.

He was higher ranked in the 200m backstroke but ditched that swim so he could race against Thorpe.

Phelps is showing his lust for a contest hasn’t weakened by adding the 400m freestyle to his Montreal program and a much-anticipated showdown with Grant Hackett.

The lanky Australian team captain is quicker on paper but the teenager’s phenomenal talent means it will be a highlight of the meet.

Phelps has the wood on Hackett in the 200m, which will only spur on the Queenslander to maintain his edge in the eight-lap event.

The University of Michigan student is like any other freshman, in that he is more than prepared to try a little experimentation.

He is dropping the 200m butterfly and the 400m individual medley for Montreal despite winning gold medals in both events in Athens.

“This year is just a year of trying to do different events and see where we stand, I have given the 200 fly and the 400m IM a rest for this summer and for the world championships,” he said.

Phelps is still tipped to match his Olympic feats, by winning six gold medals at the worlds, with the 100m and 400m freestyle the only events on his schedule likely to be beyond his long reach.