Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps has spoken out for the first time since his six month ban. He said while he will not compete for the World Swimming Championships but he is hoping to compete at the 2016 Olympics.
For Phelps, it has been an uphill battle of keeping critics at bay over his second arrest while driving under the influence of liquor.
Phelps' arrest in September 2014 led to a six month ban brought down on him by U.S. Swimming, which includes a suspension from being a member on Team USA in the World Swimming Championships in Kaza, Russia this August.
Phelps who was forced to deal with liquor abuse issues at a six week stint in rehab, speaking to reporters including USA Today at a media briefing in Mesa at the Skyline Aquatic Centre said the past eight months had changed him.
The swimmer claimed that he was in a better frame of mind not only emotionally but also spiritually as well.
Phelps who said standing down from the 2015 World Swimming Championships was 'challenging' will feature in 5 swimming events at the 66th National Championships in San Antonio this month, according to reports by A Z Central .
Dipping into the pool for the first time since his suspension, Phelps is said to compete in his pet event of the 100 meter butterfly at Mesa's Arena Pro Series.
With some of the best swimmers at the World Champioships, the opportunity to compete would have meant the ideal yardstick for Phelps who says he has set his sights on making the US swim team for a 5th Olympic run in Rio in 2016.
However, Phelps told reporters at the press conference, he supported the team and wished them the best of luck.
The 18-time Olympic gold medalist is not under any illusion he claimed that everyone would believe that he is a changed person.
In Mesa, Phelps told reporters that if people do not believe him to be genuine, it is there choice not his.
"I know the only person I can control in any situation is myself," Phelps said.