STOCKHOLM (AFP) - SWIMMING legend Michael Phelps failed to make it past the 100 metres freestyle heats when he returned to action in the Stockholm leg of the short-course World Cup on Tuesday.

The American, competing for the first time since the Rome World Championships in July, clocked 47.77 seconds, the 16th fastest time and 1.84secs slower than the best time set by Sweden's Stefan Nystrand (45.93 secs).

Also failing to make it into the final were French speedster Frederic Bousquet (47.53secs), Australia's Eamon Sullivan (47.38secs) and Filipo Magnini of Italy (47.74secs).

Phelps, who won an unprecedented eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Olympics, did have the excuse that he chose to anticipate the FINA ban on high-tech bodysuits due to come into force on January 1.

Until then swimmers can choose either to stick with the bodysuits which sparked an avalanche of world records in Rome or switch back to more conventional attire.

The Stockholm meeting was also the first time that Phelps has taken part in a short-course event since 2006 and the first time in Europe since 2001, also in Stockholm. He is entered for five races in Sweden and will go on to compete in Berlin at the weekend.

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