Michael Phelps faced the press gathered for 2015 Winter Nationals in Federal Way, Washington on Wednesday. USA Swimming tweeted out some of his responses as the press conference was going on. Phelps talked about what it was like to be at Nationals, what he is focused on right now, and that “this is 100% the last one [Olympic Games].”
Phelps said the Australians are joking that Grant Hackett is 35, which means Phelps has many years ahead of him before he needs to retire. But Phelps responded that with a baby on the way, he will be “stepping away to be with [his] family” once the 2016 Rio Olympics are over.
Post-Rio plans
Michael Phelps on retirement and Rio being his last Olympic Games #ATTNats pic.twitter.com/hoWkZwFeKm
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) December 2, 2015
What’s it like swimming against the young up-and-coming swimmers
Michael Phelps on swimming against some of the up and comers #ATTNats pic.twitter.com/CBuu0AuhlG
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) December 2, 2015
What Phelps is focused on at Nationals
Michael Phelps on what he's focused on #ATTNats pic.twitter.com/fqK2ae15n4
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) December 2, 2015
What’s it like being at Winter Nationals this year
Michael Phelps on being at the AT&T Winter Nationals pic.twitter.com/vJBN6yNcGo
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) December 2, 2015
I actually believe him this time.The last one I didn’t buy it at all, but I could see him really being done.
I would’ve bet the last one at 90% he was still coming back, this one I’d go 90% he’s done.
Great, I can’t wait!! :)))
GREAT, I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!! :-))))
Mhmmm. Sure. Bob will end up having MP and MP2 in the same practice group at some point.? I’m honestly thinking that this is his last OLYMPICS… World Champs, I think he’s gonna go until 2017 WC’s. After that, hard to say
Dara Torres of course… not sure how I forgot… made a couple more teams. Janet Evans… came back, didn’t qualify at Trials.
How many Olympians have come in and out of retirement from USA? Mark Spitz… didn’t pan. Megan Jendrick… made the 08 team. Dana Vollmer… will make 16 team. Phelps… will make 16 team and win a bunch of medals. Who else? I’m sure there are more but before social media it might have been hard to see when people actually retired
One of my favorites – Pablo Morales coming back in ’92 to win gold
Doesn’t Bob Bowman have anything better to do? Oh – yeah that’s right – he needs to have his ego stroked. “Listen to what I have to say about Michael”.
Phelps keeps swimming for the MONEY, but of course he can’t say that.
Bowman needs to remain in the spotlight – wouldn’t be surprised if they discussed that the MP brand isn’t taking off like they had hoped – but one more Olympics could help them get over the top.
Hopefully the “up and comers” will make sure Phelps isn’t on the team – but I’m sure USA Swimming will figure out someway to try and get Phelps on the team – like Tiger Woods for the 2016 Ryder Cup.… Read more »
That’s a lot of bitterness for one post.
The US Olympic Team is not like some pro league sport where aging stars can still get inserted into competition when they are far past their primes. MP will make the Olympic Team (or not) based on his times. If he can do the times (and he showed in August that he definitely can), then he deserves to be part of Team USA.
Given that USAS went out of its way to REMOVE Phelps from 2015 Worlds team, your comment that he’ll be arbitrarily inserted into the Olympic Team regardless of times is completely unfounded.
Last Olympics? This reminds me of Cher’s many farewell tours. (-:
Either way, I am inspired by his comeback. He’s bringing a lot of excitement and visibility to the sport. I look forward to cheering for him this weekend and, hopefully, at the Olympics!
If he does retire, I hope he’ll take a nice break from training, enjoy being a dad, and maybe one day, show up at a Masters swim meet.