Michael Phelps Vows To Not Drink Until After Rio

Retta Race
by Retta Race 20

August 05th, 2015 National, News

Due to his drunk driving arrest and resulting suspension last September, 22-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps was removed from the Worlds roster and will instead be competing at the U.S. Summer Nationals slated to begin tomorrow.

Phelps accepts the situation for what it is and will be looking to perform at his best in San Antonio, where other international athletes and non-Worlds U.S. team members will be in attendance.  Says Phelps, “Obviously, I’d like to be competing at worlds, but this is what I have to do.”

As such, Phelps is entering this meet as his own version of Worlds, using it as a gauge from which he can measure himself against the rest of the world headed into the final year before Rio.  “Of course [not being at Worlds], it’s going to motivate me,” Phelps said. “I don’t want to be No. 2. I don’t want to be No. 3. I can’t stand it. Sure, this is different. But it’s still the end of the [season], and I’d like to put up some No. 1 times in the world.”

For all of the Phelps fans eager to see the ‘Greatest of All Time’ back in his Olympian-esque form, you’ll be happy to know that he regards himself as being in the kind of shape he hasn’t seen himself in a “long, long time.  Maybe not ever.” Phelps is taking on a schedule which includes the 100m and 200m butterfly races, along with the 200m IM and 200m breaststroke, an atypical event for the 30-year old that he is most likely approaching as a training race.

Phelps is in the best shape out of the pool as well, as he openly states that he is not going to drink until after Rio – “if I ever drink again.”  Phelps said sincerely the decision to not drink was one he made for himself, expressing, “I’m being honest with myself. Going into 2008 and 2012, I didn’t do that. I didn’t say I was going to take a year off from drinking and not have a drink.”

He continued describing his mindset as approaching his career in a renewed manner, saying, “If I’m going to come back, I need to do this the right way. I’ve got to put my body in the best physical shape I can possibly get it in. Is it a challenge? No. I go to bed earlier. I sleep more. I wake up every day and have a completely clear head. I don’t feel like my head went through a brick wall. There are so many positives to it.”

Phelps does concede there are some trade-offs to his restrictive lifestyle, “Are there days I’m sitting on the golf course or sitting on my roof (patio) and would like to have a beer? Yeah. But I have a year left in my career. If I really want it bad enough, I will make that sacrifice.”

In terms of how Phelps ‘the persona’ is perceived, says the 18-time Olympic gold medalist, “I feel like people think I’m more approachable now than I ever was. I feel like I am OK and I am happy with who I am. I feel like I’ve learned so much about myself, who I truly am. I can honestly say there aren’t many people in this world who have seen who I really am.”

For longtime coach Bob Bowman’s part, he says he doesn’t “go to bed at night worrying about what I’m going to find in the morning. That wasn’t always the case.”

U.S. Nationals in San Antonio run Thursday, August 6th – Monday, August 10th.

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Charlotte
8 years ago

Ledecky, Sjostrom,Coughlin — champions without the drunk driving convictions. If Phelps has addressed a problem that’s good news. He’s like Kobe Bryant, Brett Favre or Floyd Maywether. I respect the athletic accomplishments, but the public persona is unappealing

Pvk
8 years ago

Phelps will put everyone in their place this week!! Get ready!!

SCAQTony
8 years ago

Presuming the quote is good, Michael Phelps, an alcoholic, has stated his return date to start drinking again. This quote is quite depressing, it’s alarming, and illustrates (if the quote is solid) that this poor man is in denial.

Jim
8 years ago

This is, of course, unless he doesn’t qualify for the Olympics, in which case he’s going to drink a LOT

Rishabh
8 years ago

Was there a video of this published?

Joel Lin
8 years ago

Well, that’s one opinion. I disagree. Maybe I just have a fondness for a greatness we will never see again. Not everyone roots for Goliath.

Charlotte
8 years ago

Hope MP hangs up his suit after Rio. He can swim fast but really is an uninspiring and uninteresting person Unfortunately the face of the sport to the world.

Gark
Reply to  Charlotte
8 years ago

Yea I agree, being the worlds greatest olympic athlete is pretty uninspiring…

Irish Ringer
Reply to  Charlotte
8 years ago

Charlotte, I’m sure your just trolling, but who would you like to be the face of the sport to the World?

Joel Lin
8 years ago

He is still the greatest until somebody else knocks him down. After seeing 1:53s 2 fly and the 200 IM times in Kazan, I am sure Michael is ready to begin the mind games later this week.

It always began with Michael mentally owning the other guys. If he puts down world top times this week here we go again. Little trash talk his way, some bulletin board stuff his way, then out comes the Miguel hammer. I love it.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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