Related photos: Phelps tutors China's Special Olympics athletes

SHANGHAI - United States swimming legend Michael Phelps said he is preparing for a year of hard training, and hopes to end his swimming career on a high note at the London Olympics.

Phelps won an unprecedented eight gold medals at the last Olympics in Beijing in 2008, bringing his total Games gold medal count to 14. With his third and probably final Olympics coming next year, the 26-year-old has set his goals "very high".

"I will retire after the London Olympics. The goal that I have for London and for next year is very, very high - I want to finish on a good note," said Phelps, who has also won 26 gold medals at the World Championships.

Phelps finished the just-concluded Shanghai World Championships with seven medals, including four gold, two silver and one bronze.

He said he was "fairly satisfied" with his performance and that it would help him build confidence and motivation over the next 12 months.

"Having what happened here is going to make this year even better. Training wise, preparation wise and I think the biggest thing here is building on the confidence I have," said Phelps at an event on Monday in Shanghai where he was named as a new global ambassador for the Special Olympics.

He said the competition in Shanghai helped him to gauge where he was at physically, but now he has to take the next step forward.

"I have to deal with it and swim as fast as I want to swim," he said.

In Shanghai, the once invincible swimmer was beaten twice in individual events - in 200 freestyle and 200m individual medley - by his teammate Ryan Loche.

Going forward, Phelps said he will devote himself to intensive training, and swimming no fewer than 40,000 meters a week, to make all-round improvements.

"I have to be in better shape, the more consistent I am in training and training at a high level, the better it's going to be for me next year I am ready for a lot of hard work," he said.

"There are a lot of things that need to be improved, whether it's certain strokes, the turn, start or being stronger with the underwater kick.

"I know I can go faster, I can go a lot faster I think," he said.

Phelps said he won't take on eight events in London, like he did in Beijing, and probably will stick to the same program he swam in Shanghai, where he took part in the 100 and 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, 200 freestyle and three relays.

"I'm fairly comfortable with the event schedule. I'll see how it pans out over the next eight to 10 months before the selection trials."

China Daily