[Bowman backed off and implemented the double sessions a year later, when Phelps was more mature, and the work paid off. In a preliminary swim at the spring national championships outside Seattle in March 2000, Phelps lowered his 200 butterfly personal best by an astonishing five seconds, to 1:59 flat. The time instantly made him one of the fastest swimmers in the world, at age 14.] It was the most boring environment you could imagine, ... There were maybe two people in the stands. There was no cheering. Then Michael swims 1:59. I remember walking to my car after that swim, stopping and saying out loud, 'He's going to make the Olympic team.' That day changed everything.
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