The most decorated swimmer in Olympic History is coming out of retirement, and racing his first competitive races since the 2012 London Games. Michael Phelps will race in the the 50 meter- and 100-meter freestyle events and the 100 meter butterfly event in a meet in Mesa, Ariz., on April 24th-26th.
The comeback could be Phelps first steps towards competing in a fifth Olympic Games at Rio 2016 and trying to add to his 22 career Olympic Medals.
“I think he’s just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes,” Phelps coach Bob Bowman said by phone from Baltimore. “I wouldn’t say it’s a full-fledged comeback.”
Michael Phelps returned to training last fall and re-entered the U.S. drug-testing program. He has completed his six-month waiting period by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to be eligible for competition.
Bowman warned that Phelps is not yet in top racing shape and that the dominant results we have seen in the past may not come for Phelps in Arizona.
“He’s gotten back into good shape since September,” the coach said. “He can give a good effort and certainly not be embarrassed. He’s in enough shape to swim competitively.”
USA Swimming also confirmed that Olympians Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky are also expected to swim in the Arena Grand Prix at Skyline Aquatic Center.
“I’m excited to see what he can do,” Ledecky told the AP by phone in between classes at her high school in Maryland. “Definitely it’ll bring some more energy to swimming again.”
Phelps, who turns 29 in June is the winningest athlete in Olympic history with his 18 gold medals, and 22 overall medals.
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