Phelps enjoying retirement

Berlin - Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps said Tuesday he was enjoying his retirement from the sport and had no future plans for a return to competition.

"I'm very happy with my life right now. I'm enjoying my retirement," the record 18-time Olympic champion told German daily Die Welt during a visit to Berlin, adding that he was spending much of his time playing golf.

Asked whether his retirement was permanent, Phelps, who bowed out after becoming the most decorated Olympian in history at London 2012 where he took his overall medal haul to 22, replied: "I don't know. Right now, I'm happy with my life," preferring to talk about golf, which he labelled "the hardest sport I've ever done."

However, the 27-year-old insisted he wouldn't simply vanish from the scene.

"I will still be seen at the edge of the pool at the world championships, and I will of course watch the 2016 Olympics in Rio."

Phelps last month threw cold water on reports that he would come out of retirement with a view to swimming at the 2016 Games.