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 Since coming out of retirement two years ago there had been
widespread speculation Phelps, considered the greatest swimmer of
all-time, was targeting a comeback at Rio although the 29-year-old
American did not confirm that until Wednesday.
"You guys heard it here first," Phelps said in a story on the BBC
website. "I am looking forward to next year. I don't think it's too
hard to really realize why I came back."
Phelps returns to competition this week at the Arena Pro Swim Series
in Mesa, Arizona, after serving a six-month suspension imposed by
USA Swimming for a drunk driving conviction.
He was also banned from the world championships in Kazan as part of
the punishment, though last month USA Swimming executive director
Chuck Wielgus said they may consider including him in the team, but
they have since closed that door.
"It's obviously very challenging and for me to not be able to
compete at world championships," Phelps said in an earlier story on
USA Today's website.
"I will be in full support of everything they do over there, and I
wish them all the luck in Kazan."
Phelps will launch his latest comeback on Thursday when 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 on Saturday.
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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.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Frank Pingue/Greg
Stutchbury)
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