Fredrik Sandberg, Scanpix / AP Photo
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps had to settle for only a bronze Tuesday, after the swimmer decided to leave his high-tech swimsuit at home. The 24-year-old athlete failed to qualify for the finals in two of his three races in the World Cup at Stockholm, and took home third in the 100M medley. The international governing body of competitive swimming will ban high-tech polyurethane bodysuits come January 1, and Phelps took this opportunity to adjust to the new rules. The use of the suits ushered in an unprecedented number of records at the world championships in Rome in July, and were crucial to placing in Stockholm. Phelps, who holds a record eight gold medals from last year's Beijing Olympics, said "Without the suit I've the impression of being naked."