Michael Phelps has ended his retirement and is already preparing for his first swim meet since the 2012 London Olympics. The 22-time Olympic medalist is scheduled to compete at the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Ariz. from Apr. 24-26, his coach Bob Bowman told the Associated Press and USA Today.
"As of today, I definitely expect him to swim," Bowman told USA Today. "We're looking forward to it. I think it'll be great for the sport to have Michael compete again. We really don't have any expectations for what might happen. We just want to have some fun with it and see how it goes."
According to the newspaper, this meet could mean Phelps is targeting the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Bowman said Phelps was entered into the 100-meter butterfly and 100-meter freestyle events in Mesa.
"Those are both of the first day, and he'll eventually probably try both of those (preliminaries) in the morning, see how it goes, and maybe do one final if he gets to the finals," Bowman said. "The next day, he's entered (in the 50 free) and will probably do a 50 butterfly. We don't know yet."
The coach said after this meet, he and Phelps will decide what his next move will be. The Maryland native has already been training for his comeback since last year and also re-entered into the U.S. drug-testing program. According to USA Today, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has a waiting period of six months, which the swimmer completed in March allowing him to once again compete in swim competitions.
"This meet happens to be at the right time," Bowman said. "He's eligible to swim in a meet, and he thought it might be fun to do one. We heard this was a great meet."
The coach told the Associated Press that Phelps is "pretty far" from being in shape but he has been working out five days a week with Bowman's team at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.
