Phelps visits local swimmers
MICHAEL PHELPS | Champ visits local swimmers, says he may be in town as spectator for 2016 Olympics
(Scott Stewart/Sun-Times)
PHOTO GALLERY
Phelps' swim clinic
Michael Phelps plans on being in Chicago in 2016 if the city ends up hosting that year's Summer Games. But don't look for him in a swimsuit.
"I probably could [physically],'' Phelps said in an interview, but he added, "I just don't see myself swimming in eight years."
Phelps is interested in those swimmers -- kids, now -- who could compete for the United States in 2016, though. On Wednesday, he visited with school-age swimmers in the Fosco Park pool at 1312 S. Racine.
If Chicago gets the Olympic nod, an aquatics center would be built in Douglas Park, in the predominantly black North Lawndale neighborhood. African Americans make up fewer than 1 percent of competitive swimmers. Pointing to black swimmer Cullen Jones, Phelps' medal-winning relay teammate, Phelps said, "He's trying to do the same thing -- get more African Americans involved. I told him we should work together."
Phelps also:
• Dismissed Australian swimmer Eamon Sullivan's contention that mistakes by competitors and "an element of luck'' helped Phelps win his eight gold medals. Said Phelps: "You have to be lucky, but you have to be prepared."
• Said he was secretive about his love life because reporters "know just about everything about me. I just want something I know and no one else knows."
• Would be a tough coach himself. "Just because of how much pain and hard work I've gone through, I'd probably make them go through some of the same pain."
• Is excited about hosting NBC's "Saturday Night Live" but has no interest in becoming an actor. "All my friends are like, 'Yeah, you're either going to kill it, or you're going to whiff it.' I was like, 'Awesome, guys, really supportive.' "
Andrew Herrmann