U.S. swimmers prepared to shine on Olympic stage

By The Associated Press Tuesday, July 8, 2008 OMAHA, Neb. -- The rehearsal is over. Now Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Natalie Coughlin and Ryan Lochte are taking their show on the road to the Beijing Olympics, where they will lead a talented team that is a mix of veterans and newcomers. The quartet was idle on the final night of the U.S. trials Sunday, getting a rare moment to enjoy their accomplishment of qualifying for multiple Olympic events. Phelps, of course, will be the busiest in Beijing. He earned another shot at Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals and will swim in eight events -- five individual and all three relays. "You guys talk about that," he told reporters, referring to Spitz's record. "I just get in the water and do what I love to do, and that's compete." Spitz endorsed Phelps at the trials as a worthy... [read full story]