Michael Phelps Planning Return to Competitive Swimming at Arena Pro Swim Series

United States Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps will return to the pool in a competitive race this April at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Arizona. 

Phelps told reporters in Germany, via David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times, that being back in the pool has provided some respite recently.

"I've enjoyed lately, more than I really ever have, being back in the water," Phelps said. "I haven't had that kind of excitement ... in a long time."

This will be the second comeback attempt for Phelps, who originally retired after the 2012 Olympics in London. He previously competed at the Arena Grand Prix in May 2014, winning the 100-meter butterfly. 

Controversy has filled Phelps' career away from swimming. He pleaded guilty to a DUI charge stemming from a September arrest and was also suspended from the United States swim team for six months. The suspension will end in April.

In October, Phelps said on Twitter that he needed time away to take care of his personal life.

At just 29 years old, Phelps has a long road ahead of him to become the role model that it seemed like he could be after winning 22 Olympic medals. Being able to get back into the sport that made him an international superstar should provide some stability. 

All eyes will be glued on Phelps because of how dynamic he is in a pool. He's getting old by the standards of competitive swimmers, yet the last time he competed turned out to be a success. Nearly one year later, there's no reason to think he won't be able to pull off another victory.