Swimming-I’m not in great shape, says Phelps before Berlin event

Nov 13, 10:42 am EST

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BERLIN, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is not expecting to produce any eye-popping displays at this weekend’s World Cup event in the German capital.

“I’ll be the first to admit I’m not in the greatest shape,” Phelps told reporters.

The American, who unlike most other swimmers has opted to spurn the high-tech bodysuit which will be banned from Jan. 1, failed to win a single event at this week’s Stockholm meeting.

“I have not spent the time I need in the water to prepare myself so I had to deal with that,” said Phelps.

This weekend he will face Germany’s Paul Biedermann, who broke the American’s world record when he beat him to win the 200 metres freestyle final at this year’s world championships.

“I am going to get up and race as hard as I can, I tell you that,” said Phelps.

Biedermann will compete despite nursing a muscle injury.

“I will be swimming. It’s not as bad as it might look or as it was portrayed,” said the German.

(Writing by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Updated Nov 13, 10:42 am EST
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