MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Phelps is in position to win his fifth medal at the Minneapolis Grand Prix after swimming the top preliminary time in the 200-meter individual medley Sunday.
Phelps touched the wall in 2 minutes, 2.23 seconds. He has already won the 100 and 200 butterfly events, as well as the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke during the three-day competition at the University of Minnesota.
The 200 individual medley could become the awaited matchup between Phelps and U.S. teammate Ryan Lochte, who finished with the third-fastest preliminary time in 2:04.15. Darian Townsend was third in 2:02.98.
Lochte had the top preliminary time in the 200 backstroke at 2:00.49.
Missy Franklin finished with the top preliminary times in the women’s 200 individual medley in 2:15.12 and 200 backstroke in 2:13.98.
The finals are scheduled for Sunday night.