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Michael Phelps heads back to competitive swimming in Arizona Michael Phelps heads back to competitive swimming in Arizona
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Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, will make his return to competitive swimming on Thursday.Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, will make his return to competitive swimming on Thursday.
The American, whose 22 Olympic medals include 18 golds, has not raced since London 2012. But he is among the entry for the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Arizona, with the 28-year-old set to be joined by fellow Olympic medallists Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky. The American, whose 22 Olympic medals include 18 golds, has not raced since London 2012 but he is among a strong entry for the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Arizona, where the 28-year-old is likely to be joined by his fellow Olympic medallists Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky.
The three-day meet has attracted more than 500 swimmers, including almost 50 members of the United States national team. The three-day meeting has attracted more than 500 swimmers, including almost 50 members of the United States team.
Phelps has not yet revealed whether he intends to put himself in the selection mix for Rio 2016, and there are many who feel he will struggle to rediscover the form and consistency that made him swimming's hottest property. Phelps has not yet revealed whether he intends to put himself in the mix for the Olympics in Rio in 2016, and there are many who feel he will struggle to rediscover his form that made him swimming's hottest property.
Phelps' four London golds followed an unprecedented eight gold medals in Beijing four years before – where he broke Mark Spitz's individual record medal haul for a single Games – and six in the Athens Olympics.Phelps' four London golds followed an unprecedented eight gold medals in Beijing four years before – where he broke Mark Spitz's individual record medal haul for a single Games – and six in the Athens Olympics.
He has entered three races in Mesa – 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle – which will give an early indication of form and fitness. He has entered three races in Mesa – the 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle.
Top of his agenda if Phelps has serious competitive intentions this year will be the US national championships in August, which also doubles up as the 2015 world championship trials. Top of his agenda if Phelps has serious competitive intentions this year will be the US championships in August, which also doubles up as the 2015 world championships trials.
He returned to training last autumn, working throughout the week with his coach Bob Bowman at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. He returned to training last autumn, working throughout the week with his coach, Bob Bowman, at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.
Speaking recently, Bowman said Phelps was "pretty far" from being back in top form but backed him to perform competitively in Mesa.Speaking recently, Bowman said Phelps was "pretty far" from being back in top form but backed him to perform competitively in Mesa.