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 159 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 159. 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.