The 2016 Summer Olympics just got much more intriguing with the news that Olympian Michael Phelps will be coming out of retirement this month to compete in a meet in Mesa, Ariz. next week. This quickly led to speculation the Gold Olympian will compete in 2016’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
This is great potential news not only for the Olympics, but also the sport of swimming.
Swimming is not the most glamorous sport. It is not the most watched sport. It is not the most talked about sport. Even the self-proclaimed sports fan probably has trouble naming five current Olympic swimmers.
Michael Phelps, however, is a household name. People know Michael from prior Olympics. He is the most decorated Olympian ever and for that matter alone people will tune in and watch.
His return to the sport also makes the lesser-known swim meets that much more exciting. People will tune in and read up to see how Phelps does in Grand Prix meets and the U.S. National Championships. Now I am not taking anything away from these meets. Those swim meets are filled with great swimmers who work hard and deserve a bigger spotlight, but the fact of the matter is the sport of swimming gets a shot of life with the re-entering of Phelps.
Besides, retirement did not go so good for Phelps. He tried to become a professional golfer, hiring a coach and playing most every day – unfortunately, that didn’t work out. It’s a’ight, Phelps, you can’t be good at everything. Many people would love to be the best swimmer in the world or even a professional golfer. As for you, Mikey, why don’t you stick to what you are good at and that is the pool? Don’t get greedy.
Honestly, I just think Phelps is bored. He does not swim. He does not have a college degree. What is he doing with his life?
The sport of swimming needs someone to hold its banner. Ryan Lochte is alright. Dara Torres was a nice story, but Michael Phelps is the guy. He is currently the king of the pool and his records could stand for quite some time.
Phelps will most likely not swim the same number of events as he did in Olympics past. He may not even win a gold, but just having him back in the pool does so much for the sport of swimming.
The Summer Olympics will be very entertaining and must-see TV, as most Olympics usually turn out to be. The addition of Michael Phelps to the pool makes Rio de Janeiro that much sweeter.
