(Photo by Julie Levin - KJZZ)

Michael Phelps

Twenty-two-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement, in what could be a first step toward swimming in the Rio Olympics in 2016. His first competition will come in Mesa.

The 18-time gold medalist will swim in the Arena Grand Prix at Skyline Aquatic Center next week. His longtime coach, Bob Bowman, told the Associated Press Phelps is entered in three events, the 50-and-100-meter freestyles and the 100-meter butterfly. While Bowman said Phelps, who returned to training last fall, is in good enough shape to swim competitively and not be embarrassed, he said he is pretty far from being in top form.

Phelps, who turns 29 in June, is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history and had vowed he would not swim into his 30s. His camp is being lowkey about the comeback but Bowman said he enjoys training and being physically fit.

Besides Phelps, USA Swimming said Olympians Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky are expected to swim in Mesa.