US superstar Michael Phelps, gearing up for his multi-medal assault at the Beijing Olympics, swims his first meet of the year this week at the Southern California Grand Prix.

Phelps, the multiple world record-holder who is planning to bid for a record eight gold medals in Beijing, is expected to be joined by Olympic medalists Erik Vendt, Kaitlin Sandeno and Jason Lezak for the meeting that runs from Friday to Monday.

In December, Phelps demonstrated he had recovered from breaking his right wrist in October with victories in both the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle at the US short course nationals in Atlanta.

The event is the second in the eight-meet Grand Prix series, which will conclude with a stop in Omaha, Nebraska, the same location where the US Olympic swimming trials are scheduled June 29-July 6.

In addition to providing preparation for the trials and, eventually, Beijing, the meet will also provide a warm-up for US swimmers heading to the FINA Short Course World Championships in Manchester, England, in April.

World short course US team members competing in Long Beach include Olympians Margaret Hoelzer and Larsen Jensen, and Chris DeJong.