News Slumping Michael Phelps Nearly Drowns During 200-Meter Butterfly
When the gun sounded to start his heat, Phelps dove into the pool and then didn’t resurface for several seconds. He then appeared at the top of the water, wildly flailing and gasping for air, before dropping below the top of the water again. Lifeguards and paramedics then dove into the pool and pulled Phelps out, where mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was conducted.
“All athletes go through slumps,” said Gary Mourning, Phelps’ coach. “Just look at Albert Pujols. The London Olympics are still two months away, so I am fully confident that Michael will be back in form by then.”
Phelps spoke to reporters briefly from his hospital bed at University of Miami hospital.
“I just need to focus on the fundamentals,” he said. “You know, not swallowing water, moving my arms and legs in a controlled manner so I don’t fall to the bottom, that sort of thing. I’ll get through it.”
