Michael Phelps injured his foot recently while playing golf, proving that the 28-year-old is getting older — or is at least more clumsy out of the pool than in it.
Phelps sported a black walking cast on Sunday at the FINA Swimming World Championships and quickly explained that the injury was “nothing bad.”
But it’s probably a good thing Phelps is no longer swimming competitively, as a foot injury like that would put him out for a few months.
The Washington Post reports that Phelps explained of the injury , “It’s just a fracture. Nothing bad. We’re being very cautious right now. So I guess it is true you can get hurt on the golf course.”
Yahoo! Sports notes that the injury didn’t keep Michael Phelps from enjoying the event in Barcelona, which included a mural dedication . He laughed, saying, “Golf is a really dangerous sport. The good thing is, I only have to pack one shoe.”
While Phelps was mum on the details of his injury, his coach Bob Bowman explained, “He hit his foot somehow in the house and then he did that tournament when he walked about 20 miles and got a little stress fracture.”
Phelps announced last year that the 2012 Olympics in London would be his last in the swimming world. While it was a disappointing announcement for fans, it appears Phelps has been enjoying his early retirement. The 22-time Olympic medalist spent a few weeks playing golf with famed coach Hank Haney as part of the reality show The Haney Project.
He also talked recently about the possibility of returning to the pool. While we’re not holding out breath that Michael Phelps will return to the sport for the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, there is speculation that he could return for a swan song at the next Summer Olympics.
Thankfully, it appears Michael Phelps is in good spirits, despite the recent injury.
[Image via Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com ]