Michael Phelps has confirmed that he will keep swimming. The world record star who was publicly embarrassed last month when a photo surfaced of him smoking a marijuana bong became fodder for the media, confirmed the news this week to NBC saying:

"Ever since the Olympics, I've had a hard time really finding the passion to get back in the pool.

"My mom and I talked about it, and I talked to some friends about it. And I talked to a lot of people about it.

"And I just literally woke up one Sunday, probably about two, three weeks ago, and there was literally a blink of an eye where I was just like, 'Why would I ever be questioning that?'

"It's literally something in my body just completely turned - like a 180. And from right then and there, I had a passion for getting back in the pool and doing what I wanted to do.

"It's a little painful getting back into shape.

"But I like it. I'm ready to go another four years, and I still have goals."

The first part of the broadcast was seen on the Today show this morning. A second installment of the interview will be broadcast Sunday evening on Dateline NBC.