Rio de Janeiro, Oct 31 (IANS/EFE): US Olympian Michael Phelps gave a swimming class Tuesday to Brazilian kids in a rough Rio de Janeiro neighbourhood that until two years ago was occupied by drug-trafficking gangs.

Phelps, winner of 22 Olympic medals, visited the Olympic Center in Complexo do Alem?o, a group of shantytowns seized in November 2010 from drug traffickers in a vast operation of soldiers and police.

The Olympic champion showed some 20 youths a series of warming-up exercises during a half-hour sesson sponsored by a credit-card company.

Phelps has a foundation in the US that promotes swimming as well as healthy living habits in general.

The champion later gave a press conference, in which he did not discount the idea that his foundation might open an office in Brazil, since his "philosophy" is to spread it beyond the borders of the US.

Phelps, on his first visit to Rio de Janeiro, said he was "impressed" with the city, which is to host the 2016 Olympics.

The swimmer, who announced his retirement from competition after the London Games, joked about the possibility of taking part in the Rio Games as a golfer.