# Did Phelps Qualify as a Substitute? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 11, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-phelps-qualify-as-a-substitute/762467 "2016-08-11T17:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-phelps-qualify-as-a-substitute/762467/1 "2016-08-11T17:38:40Z")
No one is trying to detract from Phelps’ performance, but one has to wonder… The question was raised on a local talk show about how legitimate it was to insert Michael Phelps into a (swim) rely in which he had no intention of racing. It seems the crux of the matter is that he did not actually qualify for the race. (This refers to a relay from a few nights back, as you may recall.) What does the SD recall how this unfolded, and is what took place by the book? What do you say? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-phelps-qualify-as-a-substitute/762467/2 "2016-08-14T02:39:40Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > It seems the crux of the matter is that he did not actually qualify for the race. By being on the US swim team, he qualified for the race. It’s entirely up to the coaches to fill out the team, and they can use up to 6 different swimmers in the prelims and finals. There is no question about his legitimacy, and everything here was completely by the book. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-phelps-qualify-as-a-substitute/762467/3 "2016-08-14T03:49:27Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > By being on the US swim team, he qualified for the race. It’s entirely up to the coaches to fill out the team, and they can use up to 6 different swimmers in the prelims and finals. There is no question about his legitimacy, and everything here was completely by the book. Also, didn’t Phelps swim faster in the final than any American who swam in the prelim? ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-phelps-qualify-as-a-substitute/762467/4 "2016-11-08T16:28:20Z")
Just making my rounds here at SD. Thanks for the explanation, Telemark. I trust you are on the mark!