Phelps Offers to Fix U.S. Swimming Crisis

Legend seeks urgent reforms to reverse the years of decline and mismanagement

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LOS ANGELES - Michael Phelps has launched a scathing attack on USA Swimming's leadership, with the 23-gold Olympic champion branding the governing body "weak" and demanding sweeping reforms after what he sees as years of organizational decline.

The 40-year-old American, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, delivered his broadside while revealing that he might not want his four young sons competing in the sport given the current state of swimming in the United States.

Phelps traced his frustrations back through his competitive career, saying that he often felt that his voice went unheard, was "told to be grateful for the chance to compete" and that it was more important to stay quiet and to keep the peace.

"First, I must be clear that I have the utmost respect for the US swimmers that competed at the World Championships (in Singapore)," Phelps, who retired in 2016, wrote in an Instagram post.