Michael Phelps says he’s back to having a good time in the public eye, since he became the youngest Olympic male athlete in three generations at Sydney 2000 and a father just three months ago.

“I am enjoying what I’m doing again,” said Phelps, at turns humble, serious and candid while speaking at his first news conference at the Olympic Park on 3 August flanked by US swim coach Bob Bowman.

“I’m enjoying what I’m doing, and Bob and I can still joke on the pool deck. You know there were so many days where we’re kinda pulling hair, where we’re trading blows with one another, and trying to kinda upset one another, but I’m enjoying what I’m doing again.

"I think I’m at the point where whatever is left here, I will be able to turn the page and say I’ve been able to finish my career how I wanted to. To me that is all that matters.” 

Carrying Old Glory

Earlier the same day, Phelps was announced as the US flag-bearer at the opening ceremony on 4 August. The five-time Olympian who came out of retirement to compete at Rio 2016, was selected for the roll by his 555 team-mates.

“To lead our country into the opening ceremony is something I honestly never thought I would have the opportunity to do,” he said. “When one of our staff members told me last night that I was selected, I think I had the biggest smile on my face you could possibly find. It was little bit of emotion came over me — just of joy, the honour and the opportunity to do this is incredible.”

Rio 2016 will be the first time Phelps has taken part in the Parade of Nations. Despite competing at four previous Olympic Games, the 18-time gold medal winner has never joined the world’s finest for the occasion because the 400m individual medley, the “decathlon of swimming,” is typically held on the first day of competition. This year he is not entered in the race.

Bowman listens to the swimmer he's coached since the 1990s (Photo: Getty Images/Chris Graythen)

Phelps spoke of his joy at joining the best in the world, not only on the podium but specifically the opening ceremony when they are introduced to worldwide television audiences, which once included him as a child.

“All of us from all over the world are here, that is kind of the cool thing to get to know not only your team-mates but also athletes from all over the world and what better venue to do it but the opening ceremony.”

Phelps says he came out of retirement with a more social, open attitude (Photo Rio 2016 / Gabriel Heusi)

Open and relaxed in Rio

Known to focus on himself and keep his distance from the competitors, such preparation was undeniably effective for the most decorated Olympian in history, but at Rio 2016 Phelps says he’s taking a different course.

“Before, I would always have my headphones on and never talk to anybody. I am a lot more open now and more relaxed now."

Follow swimming at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

His new attitude landed him a selfie with a fellow legend, world no.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic. The pair crossed paths, locked eyes and it was Phelps who said hello.

Phelps was returning from an interview on the morning of 3 August when he passed Djokovic, who he described as “super nice, super down-to-earth and easy to talk to.”

“For me, there are a lot of athletes who I am in awe of and pretty amazed by, and he is definitely one of them,” Phelps said.

Developing as a person and becoming a father to Boomer three months has improved his swimming and his attitude towards it, according to Phelps.

“It’s given me a clear head outside the pool with my family life and my personal life. I have been able to experience things I probably didn’t really notice or, I guess I kind of took for granted in the past. Honestly, this has been just the greatest two years of my life for a lot of reasons and I wouldn’t change it.”

Phelps hugs team-mate and friend Allison Schmitt earlier this year at an event in the US (Photo: Getty Images/Ronald Martinez)

Phelps will compete in three individual events at Rio and could be a member of all three relay teams, which could add to his eye-popping haul of 22 medals won at three Olympic Games.

Team USA at the Rio 2016 Olympics

The 31-year-old Phelps announced his retirement from swimming after the London Games but quickly reversed that decision.