Phelps to test shape, old suits at World Cup meet

STOCKHOLM — Michael Phelps plans to wear the old-style swimsuit that will become the standard next year at the upcoming European World Cup meet in Stockholm.

The Olympic star will swim the 100-meter freestyle and backstroke plus the individual medley on Tuesday. He will also swim the 100 butterfly and 200 IM Wednesday.

"I think the biggest thing is just seeing where things stand in training and see what kind of shape, or not, I'm in," Phelps said Monday. "I've got a lot of things that I can improve on and a lot of things that I can change."

Phelps, who broke Mark Spitz's record by winning eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Olympics, welcomed the ban on the high-tech bodysuits that helped rewrite swimming records the past two years.

The new rules, which limit men to old-style suits from the waist to just above the knees, don't come into effect until January.

But Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, wants the swimmer to use the suit now in the lead-up to the U.S. national championships next summer that doubles as a trial for the worlds.

"I'm happy that that whole thing is sort of changing," Phelps said. "I think it took something out of swimming by having the suits added. It took away from the personal accomplishment."

The Stockholm meet will use a 25-meter pool, half the size that Phelps normally swims.

"There are gonna be a lot of events in the next two meets that are going to be very challenging to win," Phelps said. "A lot more turns, so hopefully I can use them to my advantage."