Phelps rules out Rio Olympic comeback

 　　RIO DE JANEIRO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Legendary¹ swimmer Michael Phelps has ruled out the possibility of competing at the Rio 2016 Olympics, saying he is "happier" in retirement².

　　Speaking ahead of Monday night's Laureus World Sports Awards in Rio de Janeiro, Phelps said he was relishing³ the opportunity to dedicate time to other projects.

　　"I am having fun. I love being retired⁴, I can't stress it enough," Phelps said during a swimming event for underprivileged children at the Rocinha slum.

　　"I am happy, smiling and more relaxed. It's something that I have wanted for a long time and now I'm happy that I can make the most of it."

　　The 27-year-old admitted he had made the most of his time in Rio by visiting the city's famous beaches.

　　"This is my second time here and it's very impressive," he said. "I've never seen anything like it. The people here are incredible.

　　"Yesterday my agent and I decided⁵ to go to the beach and it was great to see how everybody seems to be having fan and is so relaxed.

　　"It's not something you see too often. It's going to be something special for Rio to host the Olympics and the World Cup with this type of spirit."

　　Phelps announced his retirement after last year's London Olympics, where he won four gold and two silver medals.

　　He is the most successful Olympic swimmer of all time with 22 medals, including 18 gold.

1 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

2 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

3 relishing   

v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望

参考例句：

• He ate quietly, relishing his meal. 他安静地吃着，细细品味着食物。 来自辞典例句
• Yes, an iron rampart," he repeated, relishing his phrase. 是的，就是铜墙铁壁，"他很欣赏自己用的这个字眼，又重复了一遍。 来自飘（部分）

4 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。