U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

By Scott Ostler

Michael Phelps, swimming's rock star, says, "I don't consider myself a rock star."

Which is a very rock-starish thing to say, except that Phelps backs it up. In the same news conference held here before the start of the U.S. Olympic swim trials, Phelps was asked what swimmers he'll be watching. He mentioned his Club Wolverine teammate Erik Vendt, because "He is my roommate here."

Phelps has a roommate?

He has major sponsorship deals with six corporations. If he wanted to, he could buy Omaha and fix it up. He is a college grad, 22, a professional swimmer, the greatest swimmer in the world, on a quest to become one of the greatest athletes in history.

And yet he's all, "Dude, do you mind if we watch SpongeBob? It helps me relax."

U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS....