Report: Michael Phelps ruled out of world championships
ByReuters
Updated 15/04/2015 at 21:54 GMT
USA Swimming has closed the door on any possibility of Michael Phelps competing at this year's world championships in Russia, according to a USA Today report on Wednesday.
Olympic swimming superstar Michael Phelps arrives to appear in court December 19, 2014 in his home state of Maryland, for driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding at the John R. Hargrove, Sr. District Court Building in Baltimore, Maryland
Image credit: AFP
There had been a sliver of hope for Phelps after USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus said last month that the 18-time Olympic champion may yet be allowed to participate at the August competition.
"It's obviously very challenging and for me to not be able to compete at world championships," Phelps said in a story on USA Today's website. "I will be in full support of everything they do over there, and I wish them all the luck in Kazan."
Phelps, who returns to competition this week after serving a six-month suspension for a drunk driving conviction, had also been banned from the global championships in Kazan as part of his punishment.
Phelps made his remarks during a news conference at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Arizona, where he is entered in five events this week.
Phelps is entered in the 100-meter butterfly on Thursday, 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle on Friday and 200m individual medley and 100m freestyle on Saturday.
The meet has attracted some of the top US swimmers, including Phelps's chief rival Ryan Lochte, who is entered in the same five events.
It will be familiar surroundings for Phelps, who ended his two-year retirement in 2014 at Mesa, sparking speculation that he is considering an Olympic comeback at the 2016 Rio Games.
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