Phelps to take “time away” from swimming

Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) – Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps disclosed Sunday he will “take some time away” from swimming in order to attend a program that will assist him as he focuses on himself.

Phelps’ Twitter announcement came less than a week after he was arrested on a DUI charge.

“The past few days have been extremely difficult,” Phelps said. “I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself.

“I’m going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself.

“Swimming is a major part of my life, but right now I need to focus my attention on me as an individual, and do the necessary work to learn from this experience and make better decisions in the future.”

It was Tuesday when Phelps was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 in Baltimore. He was later released.

A report from the Maryland Transportation Authority said Phelps was driving a 2014 white Land Rover at a speed of 84 mph in a 45-mph zone. An officer pulled the vehicle over beyond the tunnel’s toll plaza and Phelps failed to perform the standard field sobriety tests. He was cooperative throughout the process.

This was Phelps’ second arrest on DUI-related charges, with the first coming in 2004 for which he received 18 months’ probation and a $250 fine.

Phelps was also suspended for three months by USA Swimming in 2009 after a picture was posted in a British tabloid showing him with a marijuana pipe.

The 29-year-old Phelps has won a record 18 Olympic gold medals and 22 overall. He retired following the London Games in 2012, but made his return to competitive swimming this past April.

Categorized in: Olympics