Phelps’ longtime coach Bob Bowman, also head coach of the USA men’s Olympic swim team, said he would counsel his swimmers to focus on their own performances.
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Phelps was a logical choice heading into his fifth Summer Games.
The 200m individual medley, won in 2008 and 2012, is another strong chance for gold, as are the relay races – where he could earn a medal just by swimming in the heats for a later victorious United States, even if he doesn’t participate in the final competition.
“And now, I want to walk in the Opening Ceremony, take it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud”.
“I think I’m at the point where whatever is left here I will be able to turn the page and say I was able to finish my career how I wanted to and for me that’s all that matters”, he added.
In light of the Russian scandal involving systematic, organized doping across multiple sporting disciplines, Phelps was asked about the general subject of doping at a Rio press conference this week.
“I kind of want to steal that jacket”, said Ryan Lochte, who is Phelps’ roommate in the Olympic village.
“This time around”, Phelps said, “it’s about so much more than medals”. When one of our staff members told me last night that I was selected, I think I had the biggest smile on my face you could possibly find. He made his first Olympic team in 2000 as a teenager, and he has competed in every Games since.
“It feels so right”, said 21-year-old teammate Missy Franklin, one of many swimmers inspired by Phelps during their early years at the pool.
Then there’s his personal life, which has included a series of missteps including a second drunken-driving arrest in 2014.
Although he has repeatedly insisted that Rio will be his last Olympic hurrah, Phelps couldn’t resist teasingly leaving the door ajar as he spoke of his anticipation of having Boomer on hand for “my potential last Olympics”.
“Once you compete on this stage at the Olympics, that passion, that excitement, that thrill of racing the top people in the world, when that goes away, you miss it. You miss it really quick”, 11-time Olympic medalist Lochte said.
Phelps had retired from the sport after the London Games but chose to come back 18 months later. “I’m not. But I’m going to say that”.
Lochte believes the same thing will happen after Rio.
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“Just so you guys don’t beat me to death if I come back”, Phelps said.
