15 Apr 2014

Former rival wonders why Phelps would swim again

12:09 pm on 15 April 2014

An olympic bronze medallist and former rival of swimmer Michael Phelps has questioned the American's reasons for coming out of retirement.

Phelps, the most decorated swimmer of all time with 18 olympic gold medals, announced today that he's coming out of retirement next week, apparently for an Olympic comeback in 2016.

Britain's Steve Parry, who finished third to Phelps in the 200m butterfly at the 2004 games, says he can't believe Phelps has chosen to get back in the water saying the American has nothing left to prove in the sport.

However Parry says if anyone can get back into the shape required and re-discover the motivation to compete at the highest level, it's Phelps.