Michael Phelps to Return for 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Following Suspension

After a six-month suspension, legendary swimmer Michael Phelps will make his return to the pool at the Arena Pro Swim Series event in Mesa, Arizona, beginning April 15, per Childs Walker of The Baltimore Sun.  

USA Swimming suspended the 22-time Olympic medalist in October following a DUI charge, but his journey toward competing in the 2016 Rio Summer Games will soon resume.

After the punishment was initially announced, Phelps vowed to better himself during his time away:

It remains to be seen how six months away from active competition shaped him personally, but his fans won't have to wait long to find out what type of impact it had on him professionally.

As part of the suspension, Phelps was also removed from this summer's world championships roster in Kazan, Russia, although USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus admitted in March that it wasn't set in stone, per ESPN.com's Bonnie D. Ford and Wayne Drehs.

"It's complicated, but there are ways in which it could happen," Wielgus told ESPN.com. "There's a pathway for things to be reconsidered—or considered."

While there are no new developments on that front, returning to action is certainly a step in the right direction for Phelps.

The 29-year-old superstar is the most successful swimmer of all time with 18 Olympic gold medals to his credit, and now that his suspension has concluded, he can focus on adding even more to his collection.

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