The most successful Olympic athlete of all time Michael Phelps won't compete at this year's world champs but will attempt to add to his Olympic legacy by competing at next year's Rio Games.
Since coming out of retirement two years ago there's been widespread speculation Phelps, considered the greatest swimmer of all-time, was targeting a comeback at Rio although the 29-year-old American hasn't confirmed that until now.
Phelps, who's won 18 Olympic gold medals, has told the BBC, "I am looking forward to next year. I don't think it's too hard to really realise why I came back."
Michael Phelps intends to be back in the pool in Rio de Janiero. Photo: Photosport
Phelps returns to competition this week at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Arizona, after serving a six-month suspension imposed by USA Swimming for a drink-driving conviction.
He was also banned from the world championships in Kazan as part of the punishment.
"It's obviously very challenging and for me to not be able to compete at world championships," Phelps told USA Today's website.
Phelps will launch his latest comeback this week he races in the 100-metres butterfly.
He is entered in a total of five events including the 100 backstroke and 400 freestyle on Friday and 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle.
The most successful Olympic athlete of all time Michael Phelps. Photo: Photosport
The meet has attracted some of the top U.S. swimmers, including Phelps's chief rival Ryan Lochte, who is entered in the same five events.
It will be familiar surroundings for Phelps, who ended his two-year retirement in 2014 at Mesa, which sparked the speculation he was considering an Olympics comeback.
