Michael Phelps' Sore Neck Takes Him Out of 100m Freestyle at 2009 National Champ

Michael Phelps, who won three National titles and set a world record this week at the 2009 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships, has opted to drop out of the men's 100m freestyle for precautionary reasons, citing neck pain. He has qualified to compete in the 100m and 200m butterfly, as well as the 200m freestyle in Rome. As a member of the World Championships Team, Phelps is also eligible to compete on all of the men's relays at Worlds later this month.

Michael Phelps on his injury: "Yesterday, I woke up with a crick in my neck. I got it worked on after prelims, before finals and after finals. Then I woke up this morning and it was worse. When I came here and hopped in the water, I could barely turn to breathe. I'm disappointed I'm not swimming here, but the 200 fly is definitely my better race so I need to prepare for that."

Michael Phelps coach, Bob Bowman, on the scratch: "Michael saw the team doctor here. We are going to take his recommendation and play it safe. Michael will take it easy today. We will try to go in tomorrow and see how it goes. The 100 free conflicts with the 200 fly at Worlds. His fly is going so well that he is definitely going to swim that. Anyone on the team can swim on the relay."

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The USA Swimming 2009 ConocoPhillips National Championships and World Championship Trials are being held at Indianapolis' IUPUI Natatorium from 7 July through 11 July. The 2009 World Champs are in Rome 17 July through 2 August.