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Sports

Phelps has ‘no desire’ to return to swimming

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Michael Phelps encourages his teammates in the final of the men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Phelps said he has “no desire” to return to competitive swimming, but he’s eager to stay involved with the sport and cheer on those who follow in his enormous wake.

Michael Phelps said he has “no desire” to return to competitive swimming, but he’s eager to stay involved with the sport and cheer on those who follow in his enormous wake.

In an interview promoting a healthy pet food campaign, Phelps said he’s excited about the birth of his second child and numerous opportunities away from the pool. It was about this time four years ago when he got serious about ending his first retirement, but he now seems very content with his post-swimming life.

His wife, Nicole, is about four months pregnant. The couple already has a 16-month-old son, Boomer.

Phelps said flatly, “I’ve got no desire, no desire to come back.”

He’s attended a couple of swim meets since winning five golds and a silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but said “they truly didn’t kick anything off or spike any more interest in coming out of retirement again.”

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