Michael Phelps failed to qualify for the finals of the 100-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke events at a World Cup short-course meet, according to media reports Wednesday.

Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals for team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics wore an old-style swimsuit for the event.

Phelps, 24, finished 16th in the qualifying round of the 100 freestyle in 47.77 seconds.

“Coming into the individual medley [heats], I’m thinking, ‘I’m 0 for 2; let’s see if I go 0 for 3 today,’ ” Phelps said following the meet.

“Michael has had so many meets where he was unbelievably good in everything he swam; it was like magic,” said Bob Bowman, his longtime coach. “He needs to have a meet where everything goes wrong, and deal with it.”

Phelps has won 14 career Olympic gold medals, the most by any Olympian. As of August 2, 2009, Phelps has broken thirty-seven world records in swimming.

So why do you think Phelps failed to impress?

Michael Phelps