ROME — Michael Phelps had every reason to be satisfied after last year's Beijing Olympics. Yet he kept insisting there was more to do in the pool.
Even coming off his longest layoff and the embarrassment of being photographed inhaling from a marijuana pipe, Phelps turned in another remarkable performance at the Foro Italico.
He completed it Sunday by helping the U.S. 400-meter medley-relay team set the 43rd world record of the fastest meet in history.
OK, Phelps didn't match his Olympic haul of eight gold medals. He made do with five golds and a silver at worlds.
"I never want to look back on my career and ask, 'What if?' " he said.
Swimming the butterfly leg, Phelps helped the U.S. team pull away from Germany and Australia to win in 3 minutes, 27.28 seconds, surpassing the mark of 3:29.34 set by the Americans in Beijing, another relay team that included Phelps.
"That relay brings out the best in me," he said.
Phelps was honored as the outstanding male swimmer of the championships. Italy's Federica Pellegrini received the female award at the final major meet for high-tech bodysuits, which will be banned Jan. 1.
On to the London Olympics in 2012.
"I've got to be in better shape," Phelps said.
"I think without taking six months off, that will do it."
Ariana Kukors of Auburn set two world records in the 200 IM relay last week, but it wasn't a great meet for the U.S. team overall.
The American showing — 10 golds, six silvers, six bronzes — led all countries but was its lowest total at worlds since a team from 15 years ago managed a total of 21 medals.
At the last worlds, in Melbourne, Australia, the Americans piled up 36 medals — 20 golds, 13 silvers and three bronzes.
Even coming off his longest layoff and the embarrassment of being photographed inhaling from a marijuana pipe, Phelps turned in another remarkable performance at the Foro Italico.
He completed it Sunday by helping the U.S. 400-meter medley-relay team set the 43rd world record of the fastest meet in history.
OK, Phelps didn't match his Olympic haul of eight gold medals. He made do with five golds and a silver at worlds.
"I never want to look back on my career and ask, 'What if?' " he said.
Swimming the butterfly leg, Phelps helped the U.S. team pull away from Germany and Australia to win in 3 minutes, 27.28 seconds, surpassing the mark of 3:29.34 set by the Americans in Beijing, another relay team that included Phelps.
"That relay brings out the best in me," he said.
Phelps was honored as the outstanding male swimmer of the championships. Italy's Federica Pellegrini received the female award at the final major meet for high-tech bodysuits, which will be banned Jan. 1.
On to the London Olympics in 2012.
"I've got to be in better shape," Phelps said.
"I think without taking six months off, that will do it."
Ariana Kukors of Auburn set two world records in the 200 IM relay last week, but it wasn't a great meet for the U.S. team overall.
The American showing — 10 golds, six silvers, six bronzes — led all countries but was its lowest total at worlds since a team from 15 years ago managed a total of 21 medals.
At the last worlds, in Melbourne, Australia, the Americans piled up 36 medals — 20 golds, 13 silvers and three bronzes.
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