Michael Phelps to announce shock retirement?

Olympic champion created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

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Sad news for Phelps fans. Speculation had been rife that Olympic champion will announce his retirement from sports, at age 40, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 13/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouMichael

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouMichael was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouMichael.”
— @DesireePlum, 12 Jan 2026

“Phelps wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 12 Jan 2026

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