Michael Phelps keen on success at 2012 London Olympics
As the 2012 London Olympics approach, Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps has one thing one his mind-going out with a bang.
“Being able to end your career on a great note is something every athlete wants,” Phelps said to
The Associated Press recently.
“A lot of athletes have tried to come back and tried to come back and tried to come back. If I didn't think I was going to be able to finish on a good note, I never would've come
back after Beijing. I would've just called it quits. But I had confidence in myself that I could put together four more good years to really put a stamp on my career.”
With various changes affecting professional swimming this year, as well as being in something of a slump, Phelps will have his work cut out for him.
For one thing, he's been forced to adapt to new swimming suits that were made mandatory after swimmers began to break world records wearing the old suits. Changes for males include
suits only allowed to span from the waist to above the knee (before they could cover the whole leg). Since that exposes more skin, it means swimmers need to be even more fit than in the old bodysuits.
Phelps has had a hard time adapting to the new gear.
But he admits recent sub-par performances can be attributed to other causes.
"I'll be the first to admit it. I was not training as much as I should."
There is also the fact that Phelps, who won no less than eight gold medals in Beijing, is constantly occupied with extracurricular swimming activities and obligations.
Phelps has more than 10 major sponsors, including the likes of companies like Subway, Visa, and Hilton, and inking deals isn't always as simple as signing a piece of paper.
Phelps was in Las Vegas Wednesday to officiate his newest deal, with Master Spas. The deal will include his own unique line of swim spas.
Aside from obligations, swimming coach Bob Bowman indicated that Phelps was as keen as ever to give one last winning performance in London. Bowman reported that the “fire” is still
there for Phelps, and that it “never left.”
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