Michael Phelps is to return to competition following the end of his six-month ban for drink-driving . The 29-year-old American - the most decorated Olympian in history with 22 medals , 18 of them golds - will compete at the Arena Pro Swim Series event in Mesa , Arizona , from April 15-18 . Phelps was suspended by USA swimming following his drink-driving arrest in September when police caught him travelling at 84mph in a 45mph zone in Baltimore , Maryland . Michael Phelps has won 22 Olympic medals , 18 golds , but was banned from swimming in September . Having served his six month suspension the American will return to the pool in Arizona next week . 'My suspension is finally up ! Time to get back in the pool and race again ! Looking forward to # mesa ! ! , ' Phelps wrote on his official Twitter account . The Arizona meeting is the same one at which Phelps returned to last year after a 20-month retirement from competitive swimming . Phelps is still serving the 18 months of probation he received from a Baltimore District Court judge after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in December . The drink-driving arrest was Phelps ' second in 10 years , and he responded by seeking treatment for alcohol abuse at an in-patient centre in Arizona . Phelps has been training in Baltimore and performed will in an exhibition race last month . Phelps has since returned to Baltimore where he has been training with long-time coach Bob Bowman and he swam impressively in a March exhibition race . As part of his punishment from USA Swimming , Phelps was also removed from the US team for the FINA World Championships to be held in Russia this summer . But USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus said last month there was a chance Phelps could be restored to the team ahead of what would be his fourth Olympic Games at Rio in 2016 .
Michael Phelps is the most successful ever Olympian with 22 gold medals . Phelps was banned from swimming in September following arrest . American swimmer will compete in Arizona next week in comeback .