Phelps wins 200-meter butterfly in Paris

U.S swimmer Michael Phelps, during a Men's 200m butterfly heat, at the Paris Open swimming championship, Saturday, June 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

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Phelps wins 200-meter butterfly in Paris

PARIS (AP) — Michael Phelps has easily won the 200-meter butterfly on the first day of the Paris Open.

Phelps led from the start, finishing in 1 minute, 55.70 seconds Saturday. Christophe Lebon edged fellow Frenchman Jordan Coelho to finish second in 1:59.01.

Phelps was scheduled to swim the 100 freestyle final later in the day.

The American will also compete in the 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley on Sunday.

He is competing in Paris as part of his preparations for the U.S. championships, which will determine the roster for August’s Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, Calif.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PARIS (AP) — Michael Phelps qualified for the finals of both his events Saturday on the first day of the Paris Open.

Phelps posted the quickest time in the 200-meter butterfly heats, 1 minute, 57.88 seconds, before reaching the 100 freestyle final with the seventh best time of 49.44 seconds.

Olympic champion Alain Bernard of France failed to qualify, finishing 18th in the 100 freestyle heats with a time of 50.44.

The finals will take place later Saturday.

Phelps will also swim the 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley on Sunday.

The American is competing in Paris as part as his preparations for the U.S. championships, which will determine the roster for 22he Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, Calif., in August.

Bernard, swimming in the same heat as Phelps, was unable to accelerate in the last 50 meters. The Frenchman, who is gearing up for August’s European championships in Budapest, Hungary, said he was not worried by his disappointing performance.

“I was very tired,” Bernard said. “And when you’re tired, there is nothing you can do. I wasn’t in a good shape today, and it’s also the result of my training for the European championships. This meeting was not a milestone in my preparations.”

Looking to gain some more racing experience before the Pan Pacific championships, American Nathan Adrian qualified for the 100 freestyle final with the third best time of 49.17 seconds.

World champion Cesar Cielo of Brazil, who won the 50-meter butterfly heats in 23.87, will also feature in the 100 free final after qualifying in 49.31.

Men’s Results 200 Fly

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