News Digest

U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps suspended after DUI arrest

USA Swimming has suspended Michael Phelps for six months, following Phelps’ arrest last week in Baltimore for a DUI. In addition, he will not compete at next summer’s FINA World Championships in Russia, the preparatory meet for the 2016 Olympics. Phelps was pulled over on I-95 in Baltimore for excessive speeding. He was going 84 mph in a 45-mph zone, according to police, who said via a statement that the 18-time gold medalist was unable to “satisfactorily” perform a field sobriety test.

I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself. … 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.

Famed U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps

This was Phelps’ second arrest for driving while intoxicated, the first coming in 2004. Phelps announced over the weekend that he would be entering a six-week treatment program. The most decorated Olympian in history, Phelps had said the 2012 Olympics would be his last only to return to training with the expectation that he would compete in the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.