Michael Phelps is keeping his options open regarding a swimming comeback, the 18-time gold medallist rejoining the US drug-testing program in the strongest signal yet of a possible Rio Olympics return.
Phelps told The Associated Press on Thursday that "nothing is set in stone", though he has clearly enjoyed getting back into shape having dropped seven kilograms while working out with his former team at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.
"If I decide to keep going and swim again, then I'll compete," Phelps told the AP in an exclusive telephone interview from Minneapolis, where he is attending the Arena Grand Prix this weekend.
"If I don't," he added, letting out a big laugh, "I guess I'll re-retire. Just don't compare me to Brett Favre."
The US Anti-Doping Agency said Phelps was among the athletes who underwent doping tests in the third quarter, the period ending September 30. He was tested twice.
His former coach and close friend, Bob Bowman, said Phelps actually re-entered the program near the end of the second quarter, but he wasn't tested and therefore wasn't listed that time in USADA's quarterly report.
The 28-year-old would be eligible to compete again in March, according to Bowman.
Each week, Phelps said, he's working out for a couple of days in the pool, a couple of days in the weight room, and one or two days on his core training.
"I just think he's in a place where he's feeling good about swimming," Bowman said.
"If he chooses to compete, he's got some time. I like having the ability to do it. To be perfectly honest, he's not anywhere near being able to compete in a meet or anything like that. We're just getting started on improving his fitness. We'll see where that goes."
By subjecting himself to drug testing, Phelps has given himself plenty of time to go through an entire season before the next major meet, the 2015 world championships in Russia, an important stepping stone to the Rio Games the following summer.
FINA requires an athlete to be tested for at least nine months before taking part in sanctioned events.
"This may not go anywhere," Bowman said.
"We don't have an event picked out or anything like that. There's no grand scheme. It just sort of makes sense that he can make some choices if he wants to."
Phelps is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history. He captured 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall at the last three Summer Games, shattering the previous marks.
He is best known for breaking Mark Spitz's record for a single Olympics by winning eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008.
Phelps retired at age 27 after winning six more medals at last summer's London Olympics, adamant that he had no intention of competing again.
But he's moving close to a comeback.
"If I do really start getting excited and wanting to do it, I can make that choice," Phelps said.
"If not, at least it's something we can say we were prepared for."
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