Mike, You Looked a Little Like a Sore Loser

ROME - The winner draped himself triumphantly on the lane rope, thrusting his right hand in the air to celebrate a world record.It's a familiar scene for Michael Phelps. This time, all he could do was watch.Germany's Paul Biedermann handed Phelps his first major individual loss in four years - and snatched his world record, too - with a stunning win in the 200-metre freestyle at the world swimming championships on Tuesday.

Virtually unknown outside his country before this meet, Biedermann has now erased Ian Thorpe from the record book with a win in the 400 free and knocked off the winningest Olympian in history - all in the space of three days.

"I'm not pleased," Phelps said, acknowledging he wasn't in the best shape after taking six months off to revel in his great haul of China.

But Biedermann's performance stirred up even more debate about the high-tech bodysuits that will be banned by the sport's governing body beginning in 2010. Biedermann wore an Arena X-Glide, one of those polyurethane suits that is considered faster than the Speedo LZR Racer, the once-revolutionary suit Phelps wore."The suits make a difference," Biedermann said. "Last year, it was Speedo. This year, it's Arena."I hope there will be a time when I can beat Michael Phelps without these suits," the German added. "I hope next year. I hope it's really soon".

Phelps passed on the chance to wear one of the latest-generation suits. He's been sponsored by Speedo since he was a teenager and wasn't about to abandon the company that paid him a US$1-million bonus after he won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

Shortly before the race, FINA confirmed that a bodysuit ban will take effect by May 2010, making this the last major competition where buoyancy-aiding suits are allowed.

"It's not my problem," Biedermann said. "It's the problem of FINA. They should handle it really fast."

Phelps was ahead off the blocks, but Biedermann surged into the lead by the first flip and steadily extended his advantage. By the finish, he was a full body length ahead of Phelps.While Biedermann celebrated his time of one minute 42.00 seconds, which knocked off Phelps' world mark of 1:42.96 from the Beijing Olympics, the American stared at the scoreboard for a few seconds, then headed toward the side of the pool without acknowledging the swimmer who had just handed him his first big individual loss since July 30, 2005, at the world championships in Montreal.

"Theoretically, that was a pretty good swim for me, three-tenths off my best time after taking six months off," said Phelps, referring to his layoff after the Olympics. "I mean, I'm not happy, but I mean I know I didn't train much this year. For right now, I'll take it."

I just don't think he's satisfied with finishing second.That was obvious from the awards ceremony. Phelps started to walk away after the top three got their medals, then had to be motioned back to the top rung to pose for pictures with the winner and bronze medallist Danila Izotov of Russia.

Instead of being the centre of attention, Phelps had to stand off to the side, looking glumly toward the cameras.

As they walked around the deck, Biedermann danced in delight while Phelps managed a few forced smiles toward the stands.Finally, Phelps climbed toward the stands to drop off a stuffed mascot with his mother, Debbie, who leaned over to give him a consoling hug. Before her son even left the pool deck, he pulled off his silver medal, as if he wanted no part of that consolation prize.

Michael, you deserved a holiday after the olympics but six months honey,that's a little over the top. Of course you are going to lose your edge if you don't keep up your training, sweetie, and there was that little matter of the bong.