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Posted at 6:42 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2007

Phelps leads strong U.S. men's team into world swimming

By Beth Harris
Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia — Michael Phelps and the rest of his teammates are ready to start swimming. Just in time, too, because the United States is in need of a water rescue at the world championships.

Heading into the start of swimming Sunday (Saturday, Hawai'i time), the Americans were at the bottom of the medal standings, with only a bronze in synchronized swimming.

Phelps figures to boost that number single-handedly. He plans to swim five individual events and possibly all three relays in his busiest meet since the 2004 Athens Olympics.

''To set up what we want to try next year, I have to have a good world championships,'' he said Saturday.

Phelps' results in the temporary pool at Rod Laver Arena will help him decide whether to chase Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The United States and Australia — the world's top two swimming powers _ are expected to dominate the podium during the eight-day meet.

Phelps is in top form, having set three world records since August.

''This is quite possibly the strongest team we've ever fielded,'' U.S. men's coach Bob Bowman said. ''I mean it's difficult to compare teams from different eras, but we have a lot of experienced, strong swimmers and some up-and-comers who I think will pleasantly surprise us.''

With Australian Ian Thorpe in retirement, Phelps has ascended to being swimming's resident superstar. His throwaway quotes sent pens scribbling and his engaging grins triggered a flurry of camera shutters and flashes when the Americans met the international media Saturday.

As reporters, photographers and camera crews crowded five-deep around Phelps, his teammates Brendan Hansen, Natalie Coughlin and Katie Hoff had plenty of breathing room.

''It's fun for me,'' said Phelps, who has shaved off his scraggly mustache. ''It's not something I get in the States every day, and definitely not at every meet. Being able to have this kind of attention on the sport of swimming is fun.''

The Japanese media peppered Hansen with questions about his rival Kosuke Kitajima, who defeated the American in the breaststroke races at the Athens Olympics. Hansen has since taken possession of world records in the 100- and 200-meter events.

Asked if had a message for Kitajima, Hansen smiled but didn't bite.

''Not really,'' he said, explaining the language barrier prevents him from saying much more than good luck. ''It's a pretty healthy rivalry we have. We make each other swim fast. He always brings out the best in me.''

A German reporter zeroed in on U.S. women's head coach John Collins, asking him to elaborate about his alleged suspicions of doping by the German women's team.

''That wasn't quite the way I expressed myself,'' he said.

Pressed further on whether he thinks the German women are cheating, a slightly uncomfortable Collins replied, ''I don't think I have any suspicions.''