During an interview on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday, 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps said he’s not currently considering a comeback attempt because it would require too much time way from his family.
But if he did want to return to swimming at 39 years old, Phelps thinks he could win a fifth Olympic title in the 200 IM — though he acknowledges it would take four years to do.
“I think it would take four years to do — I think I could win the 200 IM,” Phelps told McAfee. “I was going faster eight years ago than most of the world is going now.”
Phelps shut down the idea of a comeback for now, saying the conversation came up while watching the U.S. Olympic Trials with his 4-year-old son, Maverick.
According to Phelps, Maverick asked if he could still get in the water and compete with the top Americans right now. Phelps replied that Maverick wouldn’t be able to see him very often due to training in this hypothetical scenario. “I don’t want that,” Maverick said. “I don’t want that either,” Phelps concurred. “So that was the end of the the conversation for us,” he recalled to McAfee.
Phelps captured his fourth consecutive 200 IM crown at the Rio Olympics in 2016 with a winning time of 1:54.66, narrowly missing his Olympic record of 1:54.23 from the Beijing 2008 edition. His most recent Olympic victory eight years ago is still two seconds faster than the winning time at the 2024 World Championships (1:56.64), quicker than Leon Marchand went to win the 2023 world title (1:54.82), and faster than Wang Shun went to win the last Olympic title in Tokyo (1:55.00).
When asked if he still swims anymore, Phelps answered, “Only if my head really is in a dark place.”
“It’s the only place where I can just be,” he said of the water. “I don’t have to think or do anything.”
Lets put him swimming aside and highlight how great of a commentator he is. I’d like to see him be the primary voice in swimming over Rowdy Gaines. There is so much knowledge there and he speaks with intelligence and passion when he talks about the athletes racing. The way he picked apart the women’s 200 IM at trials was so spot on and important that no other commentator touched on, because they aren’t as current or as decorated as Michael.
He has to lose the man bun though. That thing is awful.
Absolutely no question: Phelps 100% has not only the physical but mental ability to come back and make the team in 2028. He’s the World’s Greatest Him and Ledecky can easily lead world top times into their 40s. He’s done everything… but win Olympic Gold on US Soil. #LA28
I disagree with “leading the team with top times.” Not in anything over 100 Meters. Your body just cannot handle the rigors in a race that long at this age.
Agree that he has physical and mental ability to do something great for his age that he should be proud of, but that 200 ship has sailed, especially since he has not been consistently swimming for years on end.
All athletes feel this way post retirment. The body is in a different position than the mind however. Long story short, No chance. Also, ditch the man bun
could not have said it any better, on both of your points. LOL.
No way – and I’d love for him to prove me wrong.
Step aside dad!
Regards,
Boomer
He is the GOAT..IF he truly wanted it..he could do it. Looks like a lot of “no way”s in the comments..maybe that’s why there may not be any 23 gold medal winners commenting.
Nah.
His breaststroke will be too weak
replace 200IM with 100 fly and I truly think he could get top 5 at trials.
thats actually pretty intriguing.
surprised that nobody thinks Michael can get into the trials final in 4 years in 100 fly. Definitely makes the semis which would be fun.