Michael Phelps makes impressive swimming comeback after 2-year hiatus

Olympic swimming superstar Michael Phelps reportedly made an impressive comeback to the sport on Thursday after almost a two-year-long retirement to compete in the 100 metres butterfly at a USA Swimming Grand Prix meet in Phoenix.

Phelps, who was racing for the first time since retiring after the 2012 London Olympics with a career total of 18 gold medals, finished as a runner-up to his old rival Ryan Lochte just a few seconds after him.

Phelps said that he felt pretty controlled and the he literally had been just so excited to get in the pool and race, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Phelps, who was well outside the world record of 49.82 seconds he set at the 2009 world championships but still finished safely under the qualifying standard for the US national championships in August, said that it had been fun to get the first race out of the way.

Despite holding the world record in three individual swimming events, none of Phelps' past times count for future competitions because they were recorded before the qualifying period reportedly began in June 2013.

Phelps, who gave his swimming career a restart amid a roaring and cheering crowd, completed the race in 52.84 seconds while Lochte topped the race finishing in 51.93 seconds, the report added.