RACE VIDEO: Watch Michael Phelps Come Out of Retirement to Swim the 100 Fly at the Mesa Grand Prix

Race video is courtesy of Universal Sports Network, a SwimSwam Partner.

Thanks to a partnership with Universal Sports, above we bring you the first look of the return of Michael Phelps, the Greatest Olympian of All-Time, to the competitive pool.

Phelps swam the 100 fly prelims on Thursday, April 24th, 2014 at the Mesa Grand Prix with a 52.84. That put him immediately into the top 25 in the world and gives him the top seed headed into finals, just ahead of Ryan Lochte (52.94).

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bobo gigi
10 years ago

Congrats MIchael!
What a wonderful champion!
I said before the meet a sub 53 would be huge and he has already done it.
I must admit I had an apprehension. 🙂
It was cool to see him smile behind the blocks before the race.
I don’t know if he will win the final but his comeback is already very successful.
MP has nothing left to prove.
He swims without any pressure now.
That makes him perhaps more dangerous than ever.

With a sprint oriented training in the next 2 years and a full focus on the 100 fly, he could surprise us again.

NickH
10 years ago

Earlier I called a 53.2 and he has already beaten that. Wow.

Jiggs
10 years ago

What is a “Bubble Time”? And why is it 54.66?

liquid4TheGOAT
Reply to  Jiggs
10 years ago

Jiggs, I’m assuming they meant that prior to Phelps final heat, Shield’s 54.66 was probably the 8th best time going in, the bubble for making it into finals. (Shields ended up 12th)

Admin
Reply to  Jiggs
10 years ago

That was a reference to the time that was 8th at the time.

Pvdh
10 years ago

Lol David no.

Kevin T
10 years ago

This is very promising. A 52.84 in the 100 fly at his first meet in a very long time………that is a very promising time.

Ok. he is not fooling around. Sure he is having fun but he is in some serious shape again. I’m very glad to see that.

Just not sure I understand the 50 free business. Would have much rather seen him in the 100 free instead of the 50.

Sven
Reply to  Kevin T
10 years ago

At his press conference he used the phrase “I’m having fun” like 15 times. I’m guessing that has something to do with the 50 free haha. Apparently the 100 free-100 fly double didn’t sound as fun to him.

Pvdh
10 years ago

Le clos won’t be able to beat phelps in rio in the 100 if he is focusing on sprinting.

Lisa
10 years ago

David what are you talking about? 0.o Phelps still owns the 100 and 200 fly world records.

mcmflyguy
Reply to  Lisa
10 years ago

scm?

Lisa
Reply to  mcmflyguy
10 years ago

right…well they don’t swim scm at the Olympics so I think Le Clos will have to break a LCM butterfly WR or two and win gold in both 100 and 200 m fly in Rio before I think he can be proclaimed the new King of the Butterfly. Just saying…

EF
10 years ago

I just love that smile. He’s standing behind the blocks and he’s just giddy to be back doing what he loves. That’s why he needs to do this, and honestly we are just so lucky we get to witness it.

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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