After serving a six-month ban, Eighteen-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps has said that he wants to participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics. USA Swimming suspended the 29-year-old after he was arrested for the second time for Driving under Influence(DUI).
"I am looking forward to next year. I don't think it's too hard to really realise why I came back. You guys heard it here first," Phelps said at the Skyline Centre in Arizona.
The American, though won't be involved in the World Championships in Russia as part of an agreement with USA Swimming along with his suspension.
Instead, he will head to San Antonio, Texas to feature in the US National Championships, that will take place at the same time as the World Championships.
Phelps admitted that the last few months were the toughest period of his life and added that he took complete responsibility for his actions.
“The last couple of months have probably been the hardest I've ever had to go through in my entire life. I take full responsibility for all of my actions. I've hurt a lot of people and it's been terrible,” he said.