Phelps, Bolt unlikely to dominate like 2008

Associated Press

Michael Phelps, in the pool, raising a fist. Usain Bolt, on the track, slapping his chest.

They are the two indelible images of the 2008 Beijing Olympics — celebration after celebration of gold medals and world records by the American swimmer and the Jamaican sprinter.

Because of what they did four years ago, all eyes will be on them when they return to their sports’ biggest stages during the London Games, which open July 27.

Unbeatable then, they’re not expected to overwhelm the rest of the world — and the clock — quite the same way this time. And each one likely faces a strong challenge from a teammate.

Phelps, who eclipsed Mark Spitz’s record total with eight gold medals, now must worry about being faster than Ryan Lochte.

Bolt, the first man to break world records while winning the 100 and 200 meters and 400 relay at the same Olympic track meet, must be wary of what times Yohan Blake will produce.

“I actually think it’s a very similar parallel between Phelps and Bolt because I feel like the competition is closer. It’s not a question of whether they’re not going to do well at the Olympic Games. They are. It’s a question of whether the pack has gotten a lot closer to both of them,” said Ato Boldon, a sprinter who won four medals for Trinidad and Tobago over two Summer Games and will be part of NBC’s broadcasts from the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium.

Lochte repeatedly has said he feels these Olympics are “my time,” and at last year’s world championships showed he wasn’t intimidated by Phelps, beating him twice in head-to-head meets. Then again, Phelps figures to be in better form at London, and he sent an undeniable message to his biggest rival by beating him in three out of four events at the U.S. trials last month.

“We both hate to lose to one another,” Phelps said. “Every time I do get in the water, no matter what stroke it is, he does bring everything out of me and I think that’s something that I haven’t had with too many competitors throughout my career.”

One thing Phelps won’t attempt in London: winning another eight gold medals. After qualifying for the same events he competed in at the last two Olympics, he dropped the 200 freestyle. That leaves Phelps with two races against Lochte: the 200 and 400 individual medleys.

“Four years ago, we were trying to literally do everything,” Phelps said. “At this point it’s, ‘Let’s go out. Let’s have some fun. Let’s relax a little bit.’ ”

Bolt is looking for another three-peat, but a bit of the aura has faded.

“He’s not, in a lot of people’s eyes, going in as an overwhelming favorite. So how does he respond to that?” Boldon said. “You’re tested when you’re really challenged, and he wasn’t really challenged in Beijing. Pretty much every one of his races was a blowout.”