LONDON, England (BBC) – Olympic legend Michael Phelps returns to international action today at the World Championships in Rome after an eventful 12 months. He won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games but was later embroiled in a media storm after being photographed apparently smoking drugs.

“It has been a long year, a lot of high points and low points,” said Phelps who is struggling with a neck injury.

He apologised for his behaviour but USA Swimming imposed a three-month ban.

The 24-year-old lost a sponsorship deal in the aftermath of the affair.

Phelps has recently been plagued by a neck injury that forced him to withdraw from the 100-metre freestyle at the US trials.

The American revealed he is still suffering from the injury and dismissed claims from defending 100-metre champion Filippo Magnini’s that he had “ducked” out of the trials.

“It was never an excuse as it was stated in the paper by one of the athletes,” added Phelps. “I actually wanted to swim that race.”

Phelps pondered his future during the last year, wondering whether to carry on in swimming.

But Phelps made his choice and has taken the decision to dedicate himself to the pool through to the London 2012 Olympics.

He returns today to international swimming having already made his domestic return in May.

Phelps will compete in the 4×100 metres freestyle relay and will also compete in the 100-metre and 200-metre butterfly, the 200-metre freestyle and three relays – as he looks to add to his tally of 20 world championship medals, 17 of them gold, and despite his recent absence from the international circuit Phelps is looking forward to his return to action.

“I’m excited about my first race,” he stated.

“I always want to win. If I have the race I want to have and someone swims faster than me then so be it.

“When I come into a meet I have things I want to achieve and that is all I think about.”