Phelps returns for first meet in North Carolina

Michael Phelps has arrived in North Carolina for his first meet since his record triumph at the Beijing Olympics.



He is coming off a three-month suspension resulting from a picture showing him with a marijuana pipe. Phelps is pointing toward the 2012 Olympics and plans to retire after the London Games.



He will compete in five events at the Charlotte Ultraswim beginning today. The 50, 100 and 200 metre freestyles, 100 metre butterfly and 100 metre backstroke.



Only two of those events, the 200 metre freestyle and 100 metre butterfly, were on his program in Beijing, where he won eight gold medals.



His return has drawn media from France, Britain and Japan for a meet that would normally attract little attention during a non Olympic year.