The most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement.
USA Swimming announced Phelps, who retired from the sport after taking six medals at the 2012 London Olympics, will make his competitive comeback next week at a meet in the western U.S. state of Arizona.
Phelps, who has 22-time Olympic medals, including 18 gold, could be taking the first step toward possibly swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
His coach, Bob Bowman, told The Associated Press Phelps "is just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes."
Phelps is entered in three events; the 50- and 100-meter freestyles, and the 100-meter butterfly.
A possible target for Phelps would be the U.S. Championships in Irvine, California, August 6-10. That will be the American team selection meet for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Bowman said Phelps is "pretty far'' from being back in top form, but said he is swimming "more really for fun." Bowman said, "He is really doing this because he wants to, there is no outside pressure at all." Phelps will turn 29 in June.
USA Swimming announced Phelps, who retired from the sport after taking six medals at the 2012 London Olympics, will make his competitive comeback next week at a meet in the western U.S. state of Arizona.
Phelps, who has 22-time Olympic medals, including 18 gold, could be taking the first step toward possibly swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
His coach, Bob Bowman, told The Associated Press Phelps "is just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes."
Phelps is entered in three events; the 50- and 100-meter freestyles, and the 100-meter butterfly.
A possible target for Phelps would be the U.S. Championships in Irvine, California, August 6-10. That will be the American team selection meet for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Bowman said Phelps is "pretty far'' from being back in top form, but said he is swimming "more really for fun." Bowman said, "He is really doing this because he wants to, there is no outside pressure at all." Phelps will turn 29 in June.
