Rome, Italy, Jul 31, 2009 / 14:58 pm
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has decided to skip a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in order to rest for his final individual race in the FINA World Championships.
CNA had reported that Michael Phelps would be among the approximately 100 swimmers to be met by Pope Benedict on Saturday at the pontiff’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.
According to the Associated Press, Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman said the athlete will be resting after three races Friday and will have the final of the 100-meter butterfly on Saturday night.
Michael Phelps’ Facebook profile reports “No Answer” for his religion. His MySpace page describes him as “Christian-other.”