Michael Phelps, second place after comeback

18-times Olympic champion, Michael Phelps, came on second place at the 100 meters butterfly final at the Arena Grand Prix, in Arizona.

This was his first event since he came out of a two-years retirement, following the London 2012 games.

His American rival, Ryan Lochte, finished in 51.93 seconds, the second fastest time in world for this year while Phelps followed him at 52.13 seconds. Kenyan swimmer, Jason Dunford, finished third with 53.08 seconds.

Currently, Phelps holds the world record for speed with 49.82 seconds, set in 2009.

‘I'm really excited about how things went. I do know what I need to do if I want to continue and swim faster,’ said Phelps, after the race.

Lochte, five-times Olympic champion, said his time was influenced by Phelps’s presence in the pool, as a competitor: ‘I probably wouldn't have gone that time if Phelps wasn't in that pool with me. With what he's done for the sport of swimming and him leaving kind of broke my heart a little because I love getting on those blocks and racing him. Now that he's back I've got a big old smile on my face.’