Advertisement
Advertisement
Conor Dwyer (left), Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Ricky Berens, all of the United States, pose with their gold medals after their win in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2012 London Games. Photo: AP

Olympic great Michael Phelps formally ends his retirement

The 22-time Olympic medallist will compete at a meet in Arizona - the first time since the 2012 London Games

Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement, the first step toward swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The 22-time Olympic medalist will compete for the first time since the 2012 London Olympics at a meet in Mesa, Arizona, on April 24-26.

USA Swimming said on Monday that Phelps was expected to join fellow Olympians Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky at the Arena Grand Prix at Skyline Aquatic Centre.

Phelps returned to training last autumn and re-entered the US drug-testing programme. He has completed his six-month waiting period to be eligible for competition by the US Anti-Doping Agency.

Phelps turns 29 in June and is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history. He captured 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.

Post