Michael Phelps Shirtless, Swimming & Placing Second (PHOTOS)

Michael Phelps is gearing up for a weekend showdown with Paul Biedermann at the World Cup in Berlin. Biedermann beat Phelps in the 200 freestyle in August.

Earlier this week Phelps placed second at the Short Course World Championships in the 200 IM in Stockholm and didn't even final in other events.

Phelps wore the old style bathing suit, just shorts, about to become regulation again. No more full body speed suits, as they've been banned starting next year.

Below are a few pics from the meet, including his face when he lost.

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Comments

[kappa08]

he doesn't look good....I think the discipline of maintaining such a high level of training is finally getting to him

[foxycontin]

he's at his hottest in the water...before he comes up for air.

[Palemoon]

Is it me, or does he look like a freak the way his head in the one photo is so much smaller proportioned to the rest of his body? Or could that simply be the angle of the photo?

And you can tell he's been living lavishly ever since Beijing. He's lost almost all of his tone, he's nowhere near as buff as he once was.

I also think the real test of his swimming ability will be whether he can continue winning without relying on his high tech swimsuit which is in the process of being banned over time. ;o)

[AmandaBC]

AFAIK, all pro-swimmers look weird when seen from a close distance. It's the unnatural way muscles develop in the water. Photos don't usually convey that, mostly because telephoto lenses crush the perspective.

Here's an idea: he could blame not winning on the drag produced by his new beard... :)

[Vetinari]

What unnatural way?

Unless there are steroids involved, there is nothing unnatural with muscles developing 'in water'

[iowaliberal]

considering the vast majority of his competitors were wearing them too, I don't know how much he was actually relying on that suit. If he was better than the others when they were all wearing the now-banned suit he should continue to be better when they're all wearing the same shorts. It's just that most records are safe for a looooong time.

[inthedesert]

God I'd love to do him...several times maybe.

[gsj612]

I SOOO concur!

[iowaliberal]

Me too.

[StephenJK]

ROFL! If you love him so much why don't you marry him?!

Oh wait, I forgot......

[janex]

They can get married in Iowa.

[Leslie Rosenberger]

I think he is gross looking. Almost like an ape.

[fuzzyhearts]

That slacker goatee is going to slow him down. But it probably goes better with his DUIs and pot smoking adventures.

[firelord5000]

Phelps kinda looks out of shape, for him that is. Usually his abs are ridiculous, in these pics they barely seem to show.

[allalone]

firelord5000, abs are muscle built and based and as such, they add weight to the human body. NOT good for a speed in the water. I think he and his trainers figured that out after the last close wins he managed to accomplish. His body is still flawless over most out of shape foodies.

[studioh!]

lay off the bongs, boy!

[mikebarden]

But ya shoulda heard what they said durin' the Bush years.

[mikebarden]

I know this one: Skin To Win!

[kdogs]

when your in newport beach ca. come to our meetings on the beach http://www.soberliving.com

[wilray]

I wonder if Carrie Prejean sent Michael any videos.

[oceanofconsciousness]

LOL. You're probably right.