Editorial content for the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa is sponsored by Arena. For full Swimming World coverage, check out our coverage page.
Michael Phelps addressed his recent suspension from competition during a 40-minute press conference today at the Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, Ariz., the site of the Arena Pro Swim Series this week.
Before taking questions, Phelps said “the last couple of months have probably been the hardest couple of months I’ve ever had to go through in my entire life.”
He said he learned about himself as a person, and held himself accountable for the incident last September for driving under the influence of alcohol. He said being able to race again is “something that I love” and he looks forward to what lies ahead. He also said he will not be a part of the world championship team but will support the American athletes there.
Watch the full unedited press conference in the video player below.