In a phone interview yesterday with the Associated Press, Michael Phelps gave just the tiniest bit of hope for a comeback to the sport after telling fans via Facebook Live, following an April Fools’ joke, that he definitely was done with the sport.
Phelps was most recently spotted with wife Nicole Johnson and son Boomer at the 2017 Arena Pro Swim Series stop in Mesa, a short drive from Phelps’ Scottsdale home. He’s certainly enjoying his life since retiring, and has made it pretty clear since Rio that he’s truly done for good this time.
In his AP interview, though, Phelps talks about what kind of feelings his potential trip to Budapest to spectate at the 2017 World Championships might bring about.
“The true test will be, if I do end up going over to the worlds this summer, do I have that itch again?” said Phelps.
After the 2012 Olympics, Phelps made it certain that his retirement was a final, permanent decision. He then attended the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona, and felt that ‘itch’ to get back in and do what he does best– win.
While the idea of another return for Phelps is ever-so-enticing, he shut the idea down (at least for now), citing his family as a huge reason why.
“[Boomer] has started standing by himself a little bit from time to time,” Phelps said. “He’s on the move all the time now and loving it. He’s killing it. It’s so fun to watch him. Every day, it’s something different, something special. It’s a treat for me to see it face to face. It’s wild. It’s mind-blowing for Nicole and I. We still look at each other sometimes and go, ‘Wow, we have a son. This is our son.'”
Phelps made it clear (again) that his time on the international swimming stage is done. “I don’t see myself making a comeback. I have no desire right now to do it. I’m in the second chapter of my life. I have a lot of things I now want to accomplish. I’m realizing that more and more. This is a really cool opportunity for me to do some things I was not able to do when I was swimming.”
Phelps certainly has good reason to make the flight to Budapest this summer– he is good friends with many of the expected American stars to qualify for the Worlds team, including IM specialist Chase Kalisz, who has said that Phelps is like a brother and a mentor to him.
It’ll be a shame when he gets beat by Lochte
Am I the only one that think that these extended long breaks are good for old swimmers?(both mentally and physically) Phelps, Ervin, Dana Vollmer…Dara Torres sat out like 2 or 3 non-consecutive olympics.
I agree. I think it is particularly good for the mental side of it.
If you want a long and successful career you need breaks. Take Serena Williams for example. Injuries forced her several times to rest physically and mentally and without these breaks I doubt she would still play and win in 2017.
And now she’s pregnant! 🙂
Bobo – the Serena analogy is a good one. Look what Federer just did after taking six months off.
Ervin – the mental fatigue cannot be underestimated. You are correct that the breaks from swimming help. The caveat is that they stay active and healthy in different ways.
In terms of the article I think the quotes are a bit misleading. Phelps has stated it would be too much for his body to train that way again. I think he was merely thinking out loud of whether he would get the “itch” to compete again while watching World Champs. That doesn’t mean he will compete again particularly if he is really enjoying being home more. Heck, I get… Read more »
My thought is that Phelps fully understands that his best is behind him. That written, I also think the allure of the Olympics will always be there & he equally understands he can’t just scratch that itch when he’s 38 or 42. Let’s be a little realistic…the body changes. I still can’t get over what Dara Torres did at the age of 40. I think it’s a ridiculous outlier to assume others can do it or that Phelps would want to.
I think Tokyo for the 100 free, 200 free at trials to aim for relay spots is very favorable. Under Armour will drool for the marketing possibilities in Japan. Nike owns Asia…UA isn’t even a dot on the… Read more »
Relays??
Relay medals can be of different flavors. Allison Schmitt was selected for relay purposes only in Rio. Her second consecutive gold medal at 800 relay can be the second by value to the her individual gold medal for outstanding win at 200 free in London.
Missy Franklin has also two Olympic gold medals at 800 relay, but I’m not sure that she talks much about it.
If Phelps wants to repeat Missy Franklin’s story, then I’m sorry for him.
If he comes back I would like to see him pick 2 events. 3 max. I know he can do whatever he wants but he isn’t going to get 6 medals if he’s in Tokyo. We’re probably going to see Lochte focus on the 200IM and not even swim anything else individually. Maybe even not on relays. That’s what Phelps would be best served doing.
Even in the 200 IM, there’s Lochte, Prenot, Licon, Seliskar, Kalisz etc. I know nobody aside from Lochte has been sub 1:56. But I bet in 2020 at least 3 of those names are 1:56 or faster.
200 fly: Conger, Kalisz, Shields, Seliskar, Harting all want to make it. Badly. Phelps is the… Read more »
Michael Phelps…..run for the hills. ?
He is coming
Anthony Ervin did Phelps a big favor by winning the 50 in Rio. Even if Phelps were to win gold in Tokyo, he still wouldn’t be the oldest to win.
I know this post is meant to be light-hearted, but I am so tired of this narrative. The man can’t open his front door without a swimming site reporting on it. He’s the greatest, we know. But he’s done. Let him be done. Let USA swimming figure out how to fill the holes he left behind.
Iro – to my knowledge, swimming media have yet to report on Phelps opening or even closing his front door. On the other hand, when he speaks directly to the Associated Press (a media organization) about the upcoming World Championships? Yes, we’re going to report on that 10 out of 10 times.
There would most likely be articles about other retired and decently well known swimmers if they said something similar in the same situation.