Michael Phelps will compete for the first time in more than seven months next week, at a meet in Mesa, Ariz., one week after his six-month suspension ended.
Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky are the headliners for the Pro Swim Series event from April 15-18 (more here from USA Swimming). Phelps last competed at the Pan Pacific Championships in August, was arrested on DUI charges in September and suspended by USA Swimming in October.
His name was taken off the World Championships roster, but he may be reinstated for that meet in August in Kazan, Russia.
Mesa marked the site of Phelps’ first competition in 2014, following a 20-month competitive retirement since the London 2012 Olympics.
In 2014, Phelps was the only U.S. men’s swimmer to post a world-leading time in an Olympic event. He qualified for the World Championships team in the 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley before the suspension.
Phelps has not committed to trying to make a fifth Olympic team in 2016.
Missy Franklin, who finished her college swimming career in March and turned professional, was not announced as part of the Mesa field.
Universal Sports will air finals coverage live on April 16-17 and 9 p.m. ET both nights.
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