Japan's Kitajima: Phelps, No thanks!

Japan gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima hopes he won't race against Michael Phelps after the swimmer suggested he would try other events.

Japan's breaststroke double gold medalist Kosuke Kitajima hopes he won't have to compete against American Michael Phelps, after the multi-record-breaking swimmer suggested he would try some other events.

The top Olympic performer from Japan says having the eight-medal winning Phelps try his specialty of breaststroke would be most unwelcome.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KOSUKE KITAJIMA, JAPANESE DOUBLE GOLD MEDALIST IN BREASTSTROKE, SAYING:

"(Michael) Phelps in breaststroke? That would be the last thing I'd like to see. I hope not to see that happening. His achievements are just beyond description and the whole world recognizes his ability. Personally, I have great respect for him. We are both athletes, but I'm also a fan of his. I was really hoping he would get all those eight medals."

Kitajima won an unprecedented double-double in the Olympic breaststroke, winning the 100m and 200m races in Athens and then again in Beijing, saying success in the 100m was key.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KOSUKE KITAJIMA, JAPANESE DOUBLE GOLD MEDALIST IN BREASTSTROKE, SAYING:

"To be honest, the 100 metres race was a very tough one. The fact that I was able to win that race -- part of it may have been a matter of luck, though -- impressed even myself. After that, I was able to stay very calm for the 200 metres race."

The Japanese hero, a Tokyo native, is leading an athletes' push for that city to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

Dan Sloan reporting.