Phelps: 'London 2012 my last Games'

Updated 13.51 Sun Aug 24 2008

Keywords: 2012, olympics, gold, games, beijing, london, 23, medals, eight, american, phelps, swimmer, michael

The Great Michael Phelps, winner of the most career Olympic gold medals in history, has confirmed that London 2012 will be his last Games.

The multi-record-breaking swimmer, 23, who has 14 gold medals to his name, said he will not compete beyond the age of 30 - making London his final Olympic competition.

"I guess it's rainy. Swimmers are always wet. They're always in the water so I guess it's fitting" - Michael Phelps

He also sent out a message that is sure to terrify his rivals, announcing he would like to like to try new events, including backstroke.

He said: "I'm looking forward to swimming some new events, and swimming some events that I haven't had the opportunity to swim because my schedule has been so crowded."

But the Baltimore Bullet, who won a record eight golds in Beijing and six in Athens, firmly ruled out breaststroke or open water swimming.

Phelps said he is looking forward to the unique aspects that the capital can bring to the tournament in four years' time.

He said: "I have never competed over here in London and I'm looking forward over the next four years to experiencing more of the city and more of the culture.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how much faster they can go and it's going to make us all swim faster."

Despite only arriving in London on Saturday night, he had already visited Buckingham Palace and said he would like to see Manchester United in action.

Of his first impressions of the city, he said: "I guess it's rainy. Swimmers are always wet. They're always in the water so I guess it's fitting."