Michael Phelps Announces He Hopes to Compete in 2016 Rio Olympics

Michael Phelps is using this week's Arena Pro Swim Series in Arizona as the first step on his road back to the Olympics in 2016, he told reporters Wednesday.   

According to ESPN's Wayne Drehs and USA Today's Nicole Auerbach, this marked Phelps' first official declaration about the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro:

Speaking to reporters (via Auerbach), Phelps confirmed the obvious:

Phelps has already set Olympic records for most medals won (22) and gold medals won (18), but his journey in the pool seems far from over. After the 2012 Olympics in London, he announced his retirement from swimming, but that lasted less than two years.    

In April 2014, Phelps announced that he was returning to the sport. At the time, his coach, Bob Bowman, told Beth Harris of The Associated Press that he "wouldn't say it's a full-fledged comeback."       

In September 2014, Phelps was arrested for his second DUI, which caused USA Swimming to suspend him for six months. In October, he went on a six-week rehab stint which he hoped would help him "make better decisions in the future," per Suzy Byrne of Yahoo.

As part of his USA Swimming suspension, Phelps was banned from participating in this year's world championships in Kazan, Russia. In March, USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus told ESPN.com that he and Phelps had engaged in informal conversations about a possible reinstatement, but Phelps said Wednesday that he accepts the organization's decision.

"It's obviously very challenging and for me to not be able to compete at world championships," Phelps told reporters, via Auerbach. "I will be in full support of everything they do over there, and I wish them all the luck in Kazan."

Phelps still has a long way to go before qualifying for the Summer Olympics in Rio, but at least the questions about whether the 29-year-old is attempting to make one more run can be put to rest. 

The 18-time Olympic gold medalist can now focus solely on taking care of business at the Arena Pro Swim Series this week, hoping to make a statement in his quest to take part in the Rio Games next year.