Phelps books 200m fly Olympic berth

Washington: Michael Phelps booked an Olympic berth in the men`s 200-metre butterfly as the 14-time Olympic champion cruised to victory at the US trials.

Phelps, who holds the world record in the 200m fly, will have a chance at a third straight gold medal in the event at the London Games, reported Xinhua. Phelps clocked one minute 53.65 seconds to win the final while Tylaer Clary came in second with 1:55.12. "It`s not a good enough time to win a gold medal, but I think I`m OK with it," Phelps said. It was the fastest time posted so far this Olympic season. Allison Schmitt added another race to her Olympic programme, winning the 200m freestyle in 1:54.40, the fastest in the world this year. "I didn`t feel like I was on my (American) record pace, but I could hear the crowd. I was pretty excited before I even looked up and saw the time," said Schmitt, who won the 400m free earlier this week. Missy Franklin finished second to qualify for the event at the London Games. She has already secured a berth in 100m backstroke. In the day`s other final, Caitlin Leverenz won the women`s 200m individual medley in 2:10.22. Ariana Kukors, who set the world record in the event in 2009, before high-tech bodysuits were banned, finished second to seize an Olympic berth. IANS