News in Picture

The United States swimming team are in the UK this weekend to face a European team consisting of the combined might of Great Britain, Germany and Italy.

The Duel in the Pool event takes place at Manchester's Aquatics Centre and a world-class selection of British swimmers will be in action.

The British team is now stronger than it's ever been. This could never have happened a few years ago.

The British team is very strong indeed, particularly the girls. You've got Gemma Spofforth, Rebecca Adlington, Fran Halsall - these are all big world names.

They'll walk into this arena, it's going to be a charged atmosphere, and I wouldn't bet against some extremely fast swimming this weekend.

One man has been dominating the headlines in the build-up to the event, American superstar Michael Phelps.

His physiology is brilliant and his frame perfect for a swimmer but it is his unique ability to be able to focus on the immediate task that sets him apart.

I regularly interview Phelps for the BBC and love his composure and honesty.

He always says what's on his mind and over the years has become more laid back.

Only he and his coach know what they are setting out to achieve from one year to the next. He always talks about his 'goals' but never lets us know what they are.

With 14 Olympic gold medals in the bag he says he wants to mix it up a bit now for London.

Will he manage to take his total to 20 in events he has never competed in at that level before?

For this superstar, I think I'd probably have to say yes.

2004 Olympic 200m butterfly bronze medallist Steve Parry is part of the BBC TV team at the Duel at the Pool event.

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