According to an article by ESPN.com‘s Bonnie D. Ford and Wayne Drehs published on Tuesday evening, there’s a chance that the winningest Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps, could be reinstated to the 2015 World Championships team.
The article says that Chuck Wielgus tells ESPN.com that he and Phelps “have had informal preliminary conversations about a possible reinstatement.”
“It’s complicated, but there are ways in which it could happen,” Wielgus said to ESPN.com on Tuesday. “There’s a pathway for things to be reconsidered, or considered.”
Wielgus said that the reinstatement decision would be reviewed by National Team Director Frank Busch and the USA Swimming executive committee, though a spokesperson says that it would be “premature” to discuss any specifics about next steps.
Phelps was removed from the World Championship team late last year as part of a “mutual decision” from he and USA Swimming after being arrested for DUI. The decision was in addition to a 6-month suspension.
Tim Phillips was already added to the 2015 roster to take Phelps’ spot in the 100 fly, and Tyler Clary, who was already on the roster, took Phelps’ spot in the 200 IM. Ryan Lochte took Phelps’ spot in the 100 free.
ESPN.com quoted Clary as saying that he would happily relinquish his spot in the 200 IM to return it to Phelps.
The 2015 World Championships, in Kazan, Russia, will take place well after Phelps’ return to competition at the 2015 Pro Swim Series – Mesa meet.
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Hmm this could be very interesting. I shall keep an eye on this story
Emphasis on preliminary. If things play out smoothly for Phelps in the months to come, I see no issue in having him return to the meet. Excited to see how he does in April at Mesa, hope he brings the enthusiasm and the fast times
Interesting proposition. Whatever the decision may be, hopefully it doesn’t get blown out of proportion and make things awkward, a la Ian Thorpe false start controversy.