Michael Phelps Ready For Another Hit -- In The Pool
May 15 2009, Published 2:25 p.m. ET
Michael Phelps is about to make his first official splash, literally, since the exhilaration of winning a record-eight gold medals in Beijing last summer -- and the embarrassment of being caught red-handed smoking marijuana in photos that hit the Web earlier this year.
The celebrated 23-year-old Olympian returns to the pool Friday for the Charlotte Ultraswim in North Carolina, fresh off a three-month suspension in connection with the incident from USA Swimming this past February.
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He told reporters the fiasco was something he'd always learn from.
"It's behind me and I'm happy to be back in the water," the 14-time Olympic medalist said.
He said his focus is squarely set on London's 2012 Olympics, where he will likely compete in shorter-distance races.
(Photo: WENN)