TRAINING CAMP: Michael Phelps working out at the Singapore Island Country Club yesterday morning. He is aiming for eight golds at the Beijing Olympics. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF LAURA LIONG

'Michael's health is very good. He's very happy,' Mark Schubert, USA Swimming national team head coach, revealed at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) poolside yesterday.

'His training performances have been his lifetime bests, so he's rounding into, I think, the top shape of his life.'

Some 30 SICC members waiting to catch a glimpse of Phelps, though, were left disappointed yesterday - as the star was absent from afternoon training.

Schubert explained that the swimmer usually alternated between double-session days and single-session days.

The focus was the morning training, as the Games' finals will start at 10am.

But the majority of the 44-strong US team went about their twice-daily workouts yesterday afternoon.

Everyone looked relaxed and happy, with swimmers like Eric Shanteau and Megan Jendrick obliging requests for photos and autographs.

This is despite last week's news of a positive drugs test by teammate Jessica Hardy.

Said Schubert: 'Everybody is very saddened by the situation, but we're waiting for the appeal to see what the outcome is.'

With just 10 days to competition time, the focus is on being psychologically ready.

Distance has been reduced by between 25 and 50 per cent for most athletes, with sprinters doing up to 4km per session and middle-distance swimmers up to 6km.

Only the open-water 25km marathoners have not yet begun their tapering, covering up to 9km a session.

'Most of our work have been done,' said Schubert. 'So, we're just sharpening up and working on starts, turns, pace and take-offs.'

It is not all work and no play, though.

The team, who are staying at Shangri-La Hotel during this 10-day training camp, have been enjoying movies, card games and some shopping at Orchard Road.

This evening, they will visit the Night Safari.

'But, most of it is pretty quiet activities to rest their legs,' said the coach.

After all, they need all the rest they can get if they want to be in top form to meet their Beijing medal target set by the US Olympic Committee.

He declined to reveal the figure, but said it was higher than their Athens 2004 haul of 12 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals.

Phelps contributed half of that golden haul and two bronzes.

Said Schubert confidently: 'The most important thing is that if we've swum our best and have a good meet, we can have an excellent medal result.'

And, if the in-form Phelps swims his best, the Americans will be well on their way there.

jwang@sph.com.sg