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Phelps
Budapest, July 21, 2017 (Reuters) The world swimming championships will usher in a new era, following the retirement of American great Michael Phelps, when eight days of racing commence at Budapest’s Duna Arena on Sunday.
This will be the first global meeting since 1998 without either Phelps, holder of 23 Olympic gold medals and 26 world titles, or compatriot and six-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte.
Lochte is ineligible to compete after a 10-month ban.
Although Phelps missed the 2013 and 2015 championships, it is his farewell after his final competitive race at the Rio Olympics which still resonates.
Phelps was the last to leave pool deck as he waved an emotional goodbye to a boisterous crowd after helping the U.S. to gold in the men’s 4×100 meters medley relay.
Nearly one year on, his departure has left a void as the sport searches for the next global star to take over the 32-year-old’s mantle. (Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Silas Nwoha