SWIMMING: Super Phelps Impresses In First International Comeback Race

Michael Phelps made an ominous return to international competition, qualifying for the final of the 100 metres freestyle at the Pan Pacific championships at Australia's Gold Coast. Taking on the world's best sprinters in an event he rarely competed in even at his peak, Phelps won his heat and touched the wall in 48.45 seconds.

His time was third fastest overall, just behind the reigning Olympic champion Nathan Adrian (48.05) and the two-time world champion James Magnussen (48.25), but was still the talk of the pool deck on a rainy morning.

Still in the early stages of his comeback after he retired following the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps has struggled to get back to his best and pulled out of the 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke heats on Thursday.