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Australian swim team does not register as threat to Phelps

The most decorated Olympian in history, today, gave his frank thoughts on the state of swimming to a packed media conference in London.

If Phelps is correct the outlook for Australia is less than rosy.

Michael Phelps avoided direct criticism but there was enough to think he thought Australia were under-performing.

How has the American team maintained success where Australia has lost some of it's former dominance?

"I've been in the national team setup for 12 years now and the one thing I've always noticed is that as Americans we train as hard as we can to make sure we stay on top," says Phelps.

"This year alone, Ryan's [Lochte] made changes to swim faster. Missy [Franklin] has really thought out her events and routines. We are always thinking about how we can be the best that we can be.

"We take pride in being the best team in the world and we want to work to keep being that."

The Australian swim team was not mentioned when Phelps was asked to earmark the major threats to USA's dominance at the big meets.

"There were a number of medals that we just did not expect this year," he said.

"The Lithuanian 15-year-old breast-stroker is very good. They are all very motivated to represent their countries."

"I watched Sun Yang [of China] and his mile swim [1500m] was incredible."

While Yang continues to shave seconds off the 1500m WR that Grant Hackett once held in 2001 Phelps noted he was one of many Chinese swimmers with very good techniques and training methods.

"He just toyed with that WR line and then blew it away at the end. His stroke is incredible."

It was concerning to note Australia seemed to have fallen off Phelps' radar.