Ready for More Phelps-tastic Records? Here’s Whats In Store Friday

Phelps will be racing in two events on Friday morning.

Michael Phelps goes for history — again — as he competes in two races early on Friday morning.

Phelps will be doing double, He’ll swim the 200-meter individual medley final in pursuit of a record fourth consecutive title in the event and return about 30 minutes later for the 100 butterfly semifinals.

No swimmer has ever won four golds in the same individual event in consecutive Olympics.

Phelps qualified fourth fastest in 51.60 seconds for the 100 fly. If he gets through to Friday’s final, he’ll also be seeking his fourth gold in a row in that event.

Winner of three golds already in Rio, Phelps duels longtime friend and rival Ryan Lochte in the 200 IM. Phelps made a tactical error, though, in the 100 fly heats. He was aiming to get into the second semifinal, which would have given him some extra recovery time after the 200 IM final.

“But I screwed up,’” he said. “I try not to even think about it because then I get focused on that. But I’d like to have those extra seven, eight minutes in between.”

By competing in the first semi, Phelps has less time to warm down after the 200 IM.

“Obviously, the first one (200 IM), I need to take care of business,” he said. “Whatever I can do in the second one (100 fly) just to make it through is what I’ll do.”

Joseph Schooling of Singapore topped the 100 fly heats in 51.41. Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh was second quickest in 51.52, while American Tom Shields was third at 51.58. Also advancing were Chad le Clos of South Africa, James Guy of Britain and Santo Condorelli of Canada.