After the cut-throat competition of the US Olympic Trials, the Rio Games will be a swim in the park, Michael Phelps said on Saturday as the most decorated Olympian of all time prepared for his final races in the United States.
A reflective, relaxed and at times playful Phelps was in a sentimental mood as he and longtime coach Bob Bowman, now referred to as "Grandpa Bob", met with the media on the eve of the trials where the champion is down to compete in five events.
With only the top-two finishers in each event clinching tickets to Rio, the 18-time Olympic gold medallist will face the same pressure packed challenge as every other swimmer climbing onto the starting blocks during the June 26-July 3 meeting.
"I think for us being as strong of a swimming country as we are, I think there's probably more pressure at trials than the Games," said Phelps.
"We have almost 2000 people here, and a maximum of 52 will make the team, so it's a pretty small chance."
Phelps will have a new motivation and a new fan among the soldout crowd of close to 14,000 on the days when he races with infant son Boomer in the stands watching his famous father.
If he makes the US squad and qualifies for his fifth Olympics, Boomer and Phelps' partner Nicole will also make the trip to Rio for his competitive swan song despite Zika fears.
Phelps was aged just 15 when he made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and failed to win a medal but in three Summer Games since has gone on to become the most decorated Olympian ever, capturing 22 medals.
Now 30, and engaged, Phelps is preparing for a Rio program far less ambitious than in 2008 at the Beijing Summer Games where he claimed eight gold from eight events.
In Omaha, he is scheduled to swim five events: the 100 metres and 200m butterfly, the 200m individual medley, and the 100m and 200m freestyle.
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