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Michael Phelps ends retirement and may target 2016 Rio Olympics Michael Phelps ends retirement and may target 2016 Rio Olympics
(about 3 hours later)
Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement, the first step towards possibly competing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The 22-time Olympic medalist will compete for the first time since the 2012 London Games at a meet in Mesa, Arizona, on 24-26 April. Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement, the first step towards possibly competing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The 22-time Olympic medallist will compete for the first time since the 2012 London Games at a meet in Mesa, Arizona, on 24-26 April.
Bob Bowman, his long-time coach, said that Phelps is entered in three events: the 50m and 100m freestyles and the 100m butterfly. "I think he's just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes," Bowman said. "I wouldn't say it's a full-fledged comeback."Bob Bowman, his long-time coach, said that Phelps is entered in three events: the 50m and 100m freestyles and the 100m butterfly. "I think he's just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes," Bowman said. "I wouldn't say it's a full-fledged comeback."
Phelps returned to training last autumn and re-entered the US drug-testing programme. He has completed his six-month waiting period by the US Anti-Doping Agency to be eligible for competition.Phelps returned to training last autumn and re-entered the US drug-testing programme. He has completed his six-month waiting period by the US Anti-Doping Agency to be eligible for competition.
Bowman said Phelps is "pretty far" from being back in top form. He's been training from Monday until Friday with Bowman's team at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. "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." Bowman said Phelps is "pretty far" from being back in top form. He has been training from Monday until Friday with Bowman's team at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. "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."
Besides Phelps, USA Swimming said the Olympians Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky are among those expected to swim in Arizona.Besides Phelps, USA Swimming said the Olympians Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky are among those expected to swim in Arizona.
Phelps is 29 in June and is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history. He won 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall at the last three summer Games. He broke Mark Spitz's record for a single Olympics by winning eight gold medals at Beijing in 2008.Phelps is 29 in June and is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history. He won 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall at the last three summer Games. He broke Mark Spitz's record for a single Olympics by winning eight gold medals at Beijing in 2008.
Phelps had claimed that he would not swim into his 30s. His camp is being low-key about the comeback. "I think he's just really enjoying it," Bowman said. "He enjoys the training and being physically fit. He just kind of wants to see where he's at. It's more really for fun. It's been nice for me to see him swim just for the joy of it really." Phelps had claimed that he would not swim into his Thirties. His camp is being low-key about the comeback. "I think he's just really enjoying it," Bowman said. "He enjoys the training and being physically fit. He just kind of wants to see where he's at. It's more really for fun. It's been nice for me to see him swim just for the joy of it really."
In Mesa, Phelps will swim 100 free and 100 fly preliminaries on the first day. Then, if he qualifies, he will decide which race to swim for the evening finals, Bowman said. He will swim the 50 free on the second day and might swim the 50 fly "just for fun," the coach added. In Mesa, Phelps will swim 100m free and 100m fly preliminaries on the first day. Then, if he qualifies, he will decide which race to swim for the evening finals, Bowman said. He will swim the 50m free on the second day and might swim the 50m fly "just for fun," the coach added.
Phelps will stick to the shorter races and some relays rather than the gruelling individual medleys he contested at the height of his career. "He's really doing this because he wants to. There's no outside pressure at all," Bowman said. Phelps has also entered the remaining Grand Prix meets in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May and Santa Clara, California, in June, although Bowman said no decision has been made on whether he will compete.Phelps will stick to the shorter races and some relays rather than the gruelling individual medleys he contested at the height of his career. "He's really doing this because he wants to. There's no outside pressure at all," Bowman said. Phelps has also entered the remaining Grand Prix meets in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May and Santa Clara, California, in June, although Bowman said no decision has been made on whether he will compete.
Depending on his results, Phelps may compete in the US National Championships in August in Irvine, California, where teams will be selected for the 2015 world championships. "I wouldn't say it's 100% on the radar," Bowman said. "After Mesa, we're going to sit down and talk about it."Depending on his results, Phelps may compete in the US National Championships in August in Irvine, California, where teams will be selected for the 2015 world championships. "I wouldn't say it's 100% on the radar," Bowman said. "After Mesa, we're going to sit down and talk about it."