Michael Phelps Unretires, But Don't Call It a Comeback

Michael Phelps has the urge to be submerged! Seems the 22-time Olympic medalist just can't keep out of the water, as he will compete at a meet in Mesa, Arizona, on April 24-26, his first time in competition since the 2012 London Games. This could mean hell for hopefuls of the 2016 Rio Olympics, as Phelps has his eye on the next summer games.

According to Bob Bowman, the Olympian's longtime coach, Phelps has entered in three events -- the 50- and 100-meter freestyles and the 100 butterfly.

"I think he's just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes," said Bowman. "I wouldn't say it's a full-fledged comeback."

Further details on this "don't call it a comeback" via ESPN:

Credit: Fox Sports

Phelps returned to training last fall and re-entered the U.S. drug-testing program. He has completed his six-month waiting period by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to be eligible for competition.

Bowman said Phelps is "pretty far" from being back in top form. He's been training Monday through Friday with Bowman's team at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.

"He's gotten back into good shape since September," the coach said. "He can give a good effort and certainly not be embarrassed. He's in enough shape to swim competitively."

Phelps had vowed that he wouldn't swim into his 30s. Since retiring less than two years ago, he has stayed busy with a chain of swim schools, a foundation focused on water safety and appearances on behalf of his sponsors. He devoted lots of time to golf and participated in a reality show with famed coach Hank Haney.

As with any story that's even halfway worth discussing, things are pretty secretive at the moment. In particular, the Phelps camp is keeping mum on the specifics of the Olympian's training and his comeback ambitions.

"I think he's just really enjoying it," Bowman said. "He enjoys the training and being physically fit. He just kind of wants to see where he's at. It's more really for fun. It's been nice for me to see him swim just for the joy of it really."

So what's in store for Phelps once he gets to Mesa, Arizona?

Well, in order to go all the way, he'll have to swim preliminaries for the 100 free and 100 fly on the first day. If he qualifies, he'll decide which race to swim for the evening finals. Bowman added that Phelps would swim the 50 free on the second day and could swim the 50 fly "just for fun."

"He's really doing this because he wants to -- there's no outside pressure at all," Bowman said.

Whether or not he comes out on top in Mesa, Phelps is already looking ahead to the future. He has entered the remaining Grand Prix meets in Charlotte, N.C., in May and Santa Clara, Calif., in June, although Bowman has not confirmed whether or not Phelps will compete, since a decision has not yet been made. Of course, if Phelps cleans up on the Grand Prix circuit, he could find himself in the U.S. National Championships in Irvine, Calif., this August. From there, it's not a very long walk to the World Championships, and then to Rio.

"I wouldn't say it's 100 percent on the radar," Bowman said. "After Mesa, we're going to sit down and talk about it."

While Bowman might say otherwise, this seems a lot more like a "full-fledged comeback" than something that's "just for fun." But then, I'm not really in the guy's head. For all we know, Phelps isn't really planning on doing much more than this handful of races. That said, he could be a real boon to Team USA in two years. Not that we don't have a profundity of talent already, from Ryan Lochte to Jessica Hardy, both Olympians in their own right.

So what do you think? Is Phelps making the right call? Or could he run the risk of tarnishing his legacy? Sound off in the comments!

Via: ESPN