Michael Phelps: 'I'm Not Carrying Weights Anymore'

(ATR) United States swimming star Michael Phelps says he is in a "different mind state" ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics than for London 2012.

"I think going into 2012 it was like pulling teeth," Phelps told reporters at Pauley Pavilion during the Team USA media summit. "I see a complete change, just living a freer and happier life now. It’s a huge change - I don’t feel like I’m carrying weights anymore."

"I’ve been able to start fresh and that’s a pretty incredible feeling."

Phelps described how in 2012 he wasn’t competing for the right reasons and that if he had looked back on those Games as his last Olympics he would have been disappointed with himself.

"I would have let myself down for how I prepared myself, and that’s something I never want to live with," he says.

"I think back then in 2012 I wanted nothing to do with the sport anymore. I wanted to come back and do it the way I should’ve done it in 2012, I wanted to prepare for an Olympic Games like I should have."

Phelps says he is in much better shape heading into Rio than he was for London.

"At the previous Olympics I don’t think there was really a training routine going on. The training routine I’m going through now is the same one I went through for 2004 and 2008."

Phelps made a household name for himself at the Athens 2004 Games and became an Olympic legend in Beijing 2008 winning eight gold medals, the best individual performance ever at the Summer Games. In London 2012 Phelps became the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 total medals.

"Being able to wear the stars and stripes it’s probably one of the coolest things in my career," he says. "The chance to be able to listen to the national anthem with a gold medal hanging around your neck, as an athlete it doesn’t get much better than that."

Phelps spoke about his trials and tribulations on the eve of his first sponsorship campaign since his comeback from retirement in 2014. Maryland based athletic apparel store Under Armour released a 90-second ad spot giving viewers a glimpse of the behind scenes work Phelps puts into his training every day.

"For me to still be able to have the opportunity to work with Kevin [Plank] (Under Armour founder) and Under Armour is something that is truly special for me just being from Baltimore and watching Kevin turn Under Armour into what it is today," Phelps said.

"I’ve known Kevin for a long time and been part of Under Armour for a long time. We’re like a family."

Phelps will attempt to qualify for his last shot at Olympic glory at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials June 26 to July 3 in Omaha, Nebraska. If he makes it past the American finals Phelps will likely add to his record medal count at Rio 2016.

Phelps assures that his retirement after the Rio Olympics will be real this time.

Written and reported in Los Angeles by Kevin Nutley

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