Phelps to come out of retirement

Swimmer Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympian in history, is set to end his retirement.

The 28-year-old American, who has won 22 Olympic medals in his career, is expected to compete for the first time since the 2012 Games in London at a meet in Arizona on 24-26 April.

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Phelps won 18 gold medals at the last three Summer Games.

The Baltimore Bullet also broke Mark Spitz's record for a single Olympics by winning eight golds in Beijing in 2008.
Britain's Steve Parry, who finished third to Phelps in the 200m butterfly at the Athens Games in 2004, was surprised by the news of a comeback.

"I cannot believe he has made the decision to get back in the water," said Parry. "He has got nothing left to prove in the sport."

He added Phelps not only had to get himself back in shape physically, he also needed to recapture the hunger to win medals again.

But he told BBC World: "If anyone can do it, then Michael Phelps can."
Rebecca Adlington, who won double gold at the 2008 Olympics, said it was "exciting" to hear that Phelps would be racing again.

"All eyes will be on him, so no pressure at all," added the Briton, who retired last year after winning two bronze medals in London.

After winning a further four gold medals in London, Phelps insisted his career was over.

"I have achieved what I wanted to achieve," he said. "If you can say that about your career, then it's time to move forward, time to move on to other things. I finished my career how I wanted to."

Last year, long-term coach Bob Bowman said Phelps was capable of adding to his stunning tally of medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Phelps returned to training last year and re-entered the United States drug-testing programme. He has now completed his six-month waiting period to be eligible for competition.

USA Swimming said Phelps is expected to join fellow Olympians Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky at the meet in Mesa.

Ian Thorpe, a long-time rival of Phelps, attempted a comeback ahead of the 2012 Olympics but failed to make the Australian team.
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