Pan Pacific swimming review and the future of Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Tyler Clary | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Michael Phelps, understandably, was not pleased with the way thelast month unfolded.

The post-nationals, post-Pan Pacific verdict? Frustration.

“I really haven’t had too many meets where I’ve gone into a meetand not been satisfied,” he said in the mixed zone to reporters after his finalrace, the medley relay, on Saturday night in Irvine.

“When you don’t have a meet where everything goes your way, it’snot fun. It’s frustrating, annoying. ... If you make decisions, you have to be ableto pay the consequences. I’ve done that. It’s time to change. It’s time tostart moving forward.”

Presumably, this is music to coachBob Bowman’s ears.

“I think I have a clear picture of where he’s at and what we needto do to be ready for the World Championships next summer,” Bowman said. “Prettyclose to what I thought. So it makes me feel like I have a handle on it.”

This is setting up to be a fascinating battle among Phelps,Ryan LochteandTyler Claryin the medley events in the next two years. Lochte, who wonsix gold medals at the Pan Pacs, had a funny quote about Clary, saying:"Man, he’s like never going away."

In fact, Clary is staying put with coachJon UrbanchekinFullerton and won’t be going back to the University of Michigan for his senioryear, Urbanchek said on Sunday.

“He’s not afraid to take on the best,” Urbanchek said. “A lot ofkids would not do it. That is a toughness in him. That’s what I admire themost. He’s not afraid to take onthebest.

“Whatever happens from now on, between now and London, it dependson how much he wants to work. Another thing about Tyler is that he’s probablygoing to be around for four more years. I think he’ll be ready to continue onall the way to Rio. If Michael decides to retire after London, I think Tyler isgoing to be right there with Ryan. I think it’s awesome.”

-- Lisa Dillman

Source