Michael Phelps

[ktheodos]

I heard he's making a comeback....thoughts?

[braggin]

I guess 22 Olympic medals aren't enough for him. He needs even more. I think it's great he's going for it. He's one of the greatest swimmers of all time and a real pleasure to watch.

[mrrangerrick]

As a former competitive swimmer, it's always not something you just walk away from. The drive and passion for swimming is always with us. It was only a matter of time before he came back.

[kapeh12]

I'm not entirely surprised.  I competed in dance in college, and after 10 years of competition in school and as an amateur, I stopped due to all my partners moving on with their lives (was a ballroom dance competitor).  After 3 years of not competing, I felt driven to find something I could train and compete in as I simply loved the process of training and competing (I didn't really care if I won, although it was a nice bonus when I did).

So I took up figure skating.  Currently I've been going through rehab to fix an issue I uncovered with my hip rotator on my landing leg which stemmed from my dance days.  Why am I putting in all this effort?  Because I still am driven to train/compete for the joy of it.

For an athlete like Phelps, I'd think it would really hard for him to give up training/competition as that has been a way of life for him for most of his life, plus it's his passion.  One day, he may need to channel that into a different discipline like I did - but for now, I say more power to him.  At least it sounds like his motivation is more the enjoyment of training/competition vs winning more medals (although I'm sure his competitive nature will strive to win, but not like in the past).

[hawkeye3210]

I think he's looking for one final payday. I wouldn't doubt if he has blown most of his money.

[rusgiftsaolcom]

If he wants to make a come back I say go for it!!!

[froggylover227]

I knew that was going to happen. These celebrity athletes "retire" so young, then they realize they can't live without the sport, but probably more importantly the money and fame that comes with their talent. I personally like Phelps, so I'm glad he's making a comeback, but I don't want to get excited for nothing if he decides after another year he wants to "retire" again.

[lmrbean]

I really enjoyed watching and rooting for him so I would look forward to it!

[tjung10]

Good for him, he needs to swim. He has a bad golf game!

[mgint]

good luck to him hope he wins some more gold medals

[bowrunner]

I think it is going to be difficult for him to compete at the highest level again but I wish him luck and I hope he succeeds.

[betlynjua]

I was turned off by him and the stupid choices he made in his past.  He messed up more than once.  Athletes in general turn me off these days because of so many poor decisions they make.  It sets a lousy example for many especially the young.  This is the message I'm getting by Phelps and others : you can mess up, more than once if you want to and you will always be given a second, third, fourth chance...  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Lance Armstrong tries to make a come back and be a cycling hero again.   

[gaylasue]

Good for him!  He has definitely found something that he is good at!!

[djohnson43]

If he can still compete on the level he was and setting records I say go for it.

[ro901]

Good for him! Love to watch him compete!!!