Sports | Michael Phelps Michael Phelps Kills Chance of 2008 Repeat Coach announces he's pulling out of 200M free By Kate Seamons Posted Jul 2, 2012 12:01 PM CDT Copied This July 28, 2011 file photo shows Michael Phelps in the men's 200m individual medley final at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Shanghai, China. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer, File) Remember how thrilling it was when Michael Phelps managed to grab eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics? Yeah, that won't be happening this time around. Phelps pulled out of the 200 meter freestyle today, though he had qualified for it. His coach broke the news via Twitter, tweeting, "This will give him a full slate of 7 events. This change will allow him to focus more energy on relays for Team USA." The Los Angeles Times notes that swimmer Ryan Lochte is nipping at Phelps' heels; he'll also be swimming in seven London events. Read These Next The 8 Democrats who bucked party on shutdown have something in common. Here's where things stand in the House ahead of shutdown vote. Hormone therapy for menopause was unfairly demonized, says the FDA. Merchants could slap new surcharges on certain credit card purchases. Report an error