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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 15, 2009

Swimming: Phelps cruises to 2 finals in return to pool


By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP National Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps, center, signs autographs during the USA Swimming Grand Prix Series Charlotte Ultraswim in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, May 15, 2009.

AP Photo/Gerry Broome

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Phelps is back.

The Olympic champion easily qualified for the finals of two events Friday morning at the Charlotte Ultraswim, his first meet since winning eight gold medals in Beijing.

Phelps touched second in the last heat of the 200-meter freestyle at 1 minute, 50.46 seconds, and came back about an hour later to win the final heat of the 100 butterfly in 53.41. In both events, he had the third-fastest time overall, advancing to the evening "A'' finals.

This is the first meet for which Phelps was eligible since completing a three-month suspension. He was disciplined by USA Swimming after he was photographed using a marijuana pipe.