Michael Phelps will return to competition in April

Michael Phelps holds the record for most Olympic gold medals with 18. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Olympic swimming superstar Michael Phelps will return to competition later in April, according to the Chicago Tribune's Philip Hersh.

The swimmer will take part in the Arena Grand Prix event in Mesa, Ariz. from April 24-26, his first event in more than a year and a half.

Phelps has not competed since the 2012 London Olympics, where he took home four gold and two silver medals, bringing his career Olympic total up to 18 golds and 22 total medals.

Bob Bowman, Phelps' coach, told the Tribune that the swimmer will focus on shorter events such as the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly along with some relays at the event.

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