Michael Phelps Comeback in 2016? Why Swimmer May Join Rio Olympics

American swimmer Michael Phelps will be competing in four events at the Grand Prix meet in Santa Clara on June 19-22, a move which most people took as a sign that he will be participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Phelps will be competing on the second until the last day of the meet which according to Reuters will provide him the time to test his speed and stamina. It was reported that the 28-year-old Olympic swimmer  will compete for the 100 meters freestyle on Friday. He has not swum in a similar competition during his Olympic stint but Reuters added that he needs to complete it to qualify for the  U.S. 4x100m freestyle relay team. 

He is also set to compete on the same day in one of his favorite events, the 100m butterfly. Phelps has won three gold medals in the past Oylmpics and has also competed at the event during the two meets which he participated in.

Reuters added that the swimmer will compete for the 200m freestyle the following day. It was noted that Phelps won the individual 200m freestyle final in Beijing where he also got eight gold medals. It can also be remembered that he swam in the same competition in Charlotte in May but only reached the game that qualified him for this year's national championships.

For the last day of the meet, the swimmer will participate in the 200m individual medley, another area which he is very familiar with in the Olympics.

According to Reach for the Wall, Phelps is the 12th in the 10 butterfly rank, almost next to fellow American competitive swimmer Ryan Lochte who is in 8th place. It was noted that the swimmer may focus on the sprint butterfly event and the relay events. In his interview with Reach for the Wall, Phelps expressed that it would be unlikely for him to enter into the 200 butterfly or 400 individual medley.

Though he has not swum in multi-discipline competitions since Londo, Reuters reported that Phelps' participation in the coming meet is a sign that he will join the Rio Olympics.

Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman, on the other hand, have refused to reveal nor discuss what their plans are after the swimmer's competition this June. This still leaves fans and analysts guessing if Phelps will really have a comeback in the Olympics next year.