Swimming sensation Michael Phelps made his way into the finals of the 200-meter butterfly event of the 2016 Rio Olympics on Monday.
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Russian state television has reportedly likened United States swimmer Michael Phelps’ now-famous cupping method to meldonium – a banned performance drug that resulted in suspensions of many Russian athletes on accounts of doping, increasing tensions between the two countries.
It was a down-and-back swim that showed Phelps, as usual, is in peak form on the biggest stage and perfectly capable of winning every race he enters at his fifth Olympics. “So I feel pretty good now”. Minutes before the 200m butterfly semifinals on Monday, a hooded Michael Phelps put on his best Miz girl impression and stared daggers through South African swimmer Chad le Clos’ back.
Phelps will also compete in the 100 fly and 200 individual medley, as well as two more relays.
Athletes asked about it said they were using cupping to ease aches and pains, and to help with recovery from the physical toil of constant training and competing.
As E! pointed out – during the 4x100m freestyle relay, which landed his dad another gold – Boomer stole his thunder with his massive American flag headphones and his patriotic blanket, complete with his dad’s initials.
“Having the amount of excitement, cheering that was in the stands tonight during that race – I don’t know if I’ve heard anything like it”, Phelps said. So, if anything, I think the past couple of days we’ve seen how fast prelims have been. “The younger guys started crying, I started crying”. Phelps took the silver in London, as he failed to win his third straight gold in the 200m butterfly.
World and Olympic record holder Phelps led throughout most of Monday’s semi-final before being pipped in the last 25 metres by Tamas Kenderesi of Hungary, who finished 0.16 ahead of the American.
The four-time gold medalist will look to defend his 100-meter freestyle title in the pool, beginning with afternoon qualifying followed by the semifinals at night.
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He said he’s been cupping for some time, before nearly every meet, but the trainer went full bore on him and left some of the worst bruises in some time. Giving up alcohol. Getting engaged to Johnson.
