Teammate Clary questions Phelps' work ethic

Clary made his comments to the Press-Enterprise newspaper in his hometown of Riverside, California, about observations he made of Phelps for a year at the University of Michigan four years ago. "I saw a real lack of preparation (from) him," Clary said. "Basically he was a swimmer that didn't want to be there." Clary might have seen Phelps at the toughest time, however, just after his record eight-gold haul from the Beijing Olympics when he gained weight and was not motivated.u00a0

Michael Phelps

"The fact that I know I work harder than he does makes me appreciate every little goal," Clary said.

Clary lost out on an Olympic spot in the 400-metres individual medley to Phelps and Ryan Lochte but was second to Phelps in the 200 butterfly and second again in the 200 backstroke to qualify for London in both of those events.

"The fact that he doesn't have to work as hard to get that done, it's a real shame."