Olympic
gold medalist Michael Phelps said that he will try to compete at the 2016 Summer
Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. It is the first time Phelps has publicly committed
to trying for the 2016 Games. One year ago, he announced he was coming out of
retirement and would possibly target the Olympics in Rio.
Phelps
is returning to competition this week for the first time since being suspended
for six months from all approved events. USA Swimming suspended him in October
after he was arrested for DUI and his suspension ended on April 6. He is
competing in the Arena Pro Swim Series, which is being held April 15-18 at
Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, Ariz.
As
part of his suspension, USA Swimming and Phelps decided he would not
participate in the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia. It was reported
that he could possibly be reinstated for the event but on Wednesday Phelps said
he respects the decision of USA Swimming and will not compete in Kazan. Last
November, fellow USA swimmer Ryan Lochte said he had “no doubt” Phelps will be
ready for the 2016 Olympics. Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics,
including a one-hundredth of a second victory in the 100-meter butterfly that
SI captured with an underwater camera.
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