Olympic superstar Michael Phelps has ‘itch’ to make shock return to the pool despite ‘happy’ retirement
MICHAEL PHELPS admits he would love to make a second comeback and rule the pool again.
But he knows in his mind that a return cannot happen - because of his work raising awareness of mental health issues.
The 33-year-old is the most decorated Olympian of all time, winning a staggering 28 medals - including 23 golds - at the Games.
Phelps ended his career after London 2012 - where he won six medals - but returned just two years later after feeling lost and confused without swimming.
The 6ft 4in 'Baltimore Bullet' then brought home five gold medals and one silver in Rio, with Joseph Schooling denying the American a clean sweep.
Speaking to SunSport in Singapore where he appeared as an ambassador for ONE Championship, Phelps revealed he still finds himself in “swimming mode” - but is “happy” in his second retirement.
He said: “After my first retirement I didn’t know what to do or where to go so I think I learnt a lot going through that, and now going through my second retirement and being three years removed.
I’ll probably get the itch to get back but for me I know I have so many important things going on outside of the pool.
Michael Phelps on retirement
“For me I wanted to exit on my own terms and after coming back in 2012, looking back now I’m happy and content.
“I would have liked to have beaten Joe (Schooling) on the 100 fly but you can’t win every race!
“It was a fun way to go out and of course I’ll probably get the itch to get back but for me I know I have so many important things going on outside of the pool.
“Last night I was talking to Joe and some of the things he has coming up and strategy and I just go straight back into swimming mode - it’s all I know.
“Honestly for me it’s easier to stay retired because I’m able to do stuff still that I love - but it is still challenging.”
Phelps now finds himself working as an advocate for mental health awareness, having battled his own demons.
After reaching the greatest of heights after London 2012, Phelps contemplated suicide after battles with severe anxiety and depression.
In 2014, while still swimming, he was arrested for drink driving and disqualified from all competitions for six months
He also lost his place in the US team at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships.
However, Phelps checked himself into rehab and turned his career and life around.
As well as his work within mental health, which saw the American receive the fifth annual Morton E. Ruderman Award, presented to people who make an "extraordinary contribution to the inclusion of people with disabilities", Phelps also works to increase pool safety and water conservation.
These things are what help keep the Olympic legend too busy to consider another swimming comeback.
Phelps added: "I’m in a lot better place mentally than I could have imagined especially with everything I went through - I’m happy.
“To have the opportunity I have to spread the word about mental health, water conservation and water safety.
“The only reason I ever got in the pool was water safety, water conservation is something we all have to prove on and mental health is something I have to deal with everyday.
“Those things make it exciting that I can still talk about that message.
“I was extremely passionate about what I did in the pool and that’s why I had the success and longevity that I had.
“Every single day for 25 years I dreamt about swimming. That is all I wanted to do and now the chapter has turned and I have a new goal and new targets.
“That’s what we’re doing and if I can save one life at a time then that’s all I care for.”
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Phelps remained in Singapore to watch the ONE Championship Enter The Dragon show - where he presented hometown hero Christian Lee with the lightweight title.
The Greatest Swimmer of All Time remains fixated in the sport, often speaking with old rival Schooling about upcoming events.
But his work keeping the sport safer, for now, keeps him on the other side of the pool.
