MICHAEL PHELPS FINISHED seventh in the 100 metres freestyle final at the US national championships in Irvine last night.
After qualifying third fastest for his first national final since 2012, the all-time Olympic Games gold medal leader only beat one swimmer to the wall as Nathan Adrian won in a time of 48.31 seconds.
It was Adrian then daylight in California, with long-time Phelps rival Ryan Lochte (48.96secs) finishing second – although there was only 0.38secs between second place and last.
Phelps finished in a time of 49.17secs, much slower than his qualifying time of 48.77secs.
The 18-time Olympic gold medallist had the slowest reaction time of all competitors in the final, and turned in last position after one lap in California – before reeling in Seth Stubblefield (49.34secs) to avoid the dishonour of finishing at the foot of the field.
