Ryan Lochte 'Guarantees' Michael Phelps Will Compete in 2020 Tokyo Olympics

The 2016 Rio Games may not be Michael Phelps’ final Olympics after all.

Fellow American swimmer Ryan Lochte appeared on NBC’s Today on Friday and said, “I guarantee he will be there,” when discussing the chances Phelps competes in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, per the Associated Press, via NBCOlympics.com.

The Associated Press noted Phelps “has said he plans to retire after Rio.”

Lochte—who has six gold medals, three silver medals and three bronze medals in his Olympics career—adds an air of credibility to the idea Phelps will return in four years considering he is Phelps’ Olympic roommate, per the AP, and spent his career competing against the all-time great.

Phelps is 31 years old and swimming in his fifth Olympics, but he has shown no signs of slowing down in the pool. He won a gold medal in Thursday’s men’s 200-meter individual medley thanks to an unbeatable finishing kick on the freestyle portion, easily handling a field that included Lochte and silver medalist Kosuke Hagino (Japan).

It was Phelps’ fourth gold of the Rio Games (he also won the 200-meter butterfly, the 4x200-meter freestyle relay and the 4x100-meter freestyle relay) and 22nd of his illustrious career. He has 26 overall medals and left little doubt he is the greatest swimmer in the sport’s history:

What’s more, a comeback would be nothing new for Phelps. According to Wayne Drehs of ESPN.com, the swimmer retired after the 2012 Olympics in London, only to return to the pool in early 2014. Phelps even left the door slightly ajar during a pre-Olympic news conference, per Drehs.

“I'll say this just in case of a comeback ... my potential last Olympics,” Phelps said. “Just so you guys don't beat me to death if I comeback. No, I'm not. But I'll just say that.”

Phelps doesn’t have anything left to prove in terms of international competition and is already the most decorated Olympian of all time. He also has a young son and would have plenty of time to devote to activities outside of swimming if he does officially retire.

Still, he has been an overwhelming force once again in Rio and doesn’t look like someone ready to retire. Lochte thinks that greatness will continue in Tokyo.