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Michael Phelps to Return to Tokyo Olympics 2020 in His New Role

Published 07/14/2021, 5:28 AM EDT

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Even though Michael Phelps has retired from professional swimming, his heart and soul remain near swimming pools around the world. The ‘Baltimore Bullet’ is the greatest Olympian of all time, having won 28 medals in the games; in addition, to winning 23 gold medals for various swimming events.

However, the greatest swimmer in the history of the sport starts a new career, surrounding his passion itself. It was announced that Phelps will join the NBC Announcing Booth for select races, for the Tokyo Olympics.

The announcement comes as a new chapter in the life of Phelps who is keen to stay in the sport despite retiring after Rio 2016. Phelps commentated in the 200-m individual medley on behalf of NBC.

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Michael Phelps joins the commentary team for Tokyo Olympics

Earlier, during the US swimming trials, Phelps joined the commentary desk and lent his expertise on the events for NBC Sports. Passionate about swimming, he brings fresh impetus to the commentary table for Tokyo. The Athletic insider, Richard Deitsch, confirmed the matter with a tweet.

Phelps will join Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines for several swimming events in Tokyo. The details regarding the events are still unknown but one could guess that he would commentate on Caeleb Dressel’s events for the Olympics.

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The details of the events will be out soon as ‘Swimming World’ reached out to NBC regarding his telecasts. Moreover, 3-time US Olympian Elizabeth Beisel joins the NBC commentary team as well.

Notably, she won silver and bronze for the 400-m individual medley and 200-m backstroke event in London Olympics 2012.

Likewise, Patrick Kinas and Amy Van Dyken also join the team to call out the preliminary events from NBC base in Stamford, Connecticut.

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Phelps joined the team for US Trails 2021

During the US swimming trials, Phelps called the 200-m individual medley race and had inputs for Michael Andrew. The 22-year-old swimmer from Minnesota qualified for the 100-m breaststroke, 200-m individual medley, and the 50-m freestyle event. He heads to Tokyo to compete and looks to leave a mark on Phelps’ favorite event- the individual medley race.

USA Today via Reuters

The 200-m individual medley event was his holy grail. Significantly, Phelps is the only athlete to win four gold medals for the same event in the Olympics.

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But speaking about Andrew, Phelps expressed his opinions on the improvements he had to make while finishing races. Daiya Seto from Japan is the favorite to win the event while Andrew will have to be at his best to come back with a gold medal.

The US Olympic swimming team boasts of several talented swimmers this time around. Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky, Regan Smith are the household names competing in this year’s Olympics.

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But questions arise whether they can win most of the medals or whether a rampant Australian team would upset the odds.

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Written by:

Jacob Gijy

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Jacob Gijy is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Gijy finished his Masters in Counselling Psychology and worked in a hospital for 2 years before his passion for sports compelled him to find his way to sports journalism. A fan of the great Tim Duncan, he is always ready to pick up a debate with anyone who does not offer the centre the respect he deserves.
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