Michael Phelps Says Swimming On Hold After DUI Arrest
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Taking time to refocus. Michael Phelps' recent actions have put him back in the headlines.
Marcus Washington reports not for his swimming achievements, but yet another DUI arrest.
When it was announced that Michael Phelps was arrested for his second DUI in ten years, many wondered what this would mean for the 29-year-old Olympic star.
Phelps addressed the public Sunday via social media to say he's entering a program to take time to better understand himself.
He gained international attention for his work in the water, becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. But most recently, Michael Phelps' headlines are focused on what he did in his white Range Rover one early morning on September 30.
Pulled over by Maryland Transportation Authority Police on I-95 north just past the Fort McHenry toll plaza, officers say Phelps' eyes were red and he smelled of alcohol.
After admitting to drinking at the Horseshoe Casino earlier and taking a series of sobriety tests, Phelps' breathalyzer reading came back at .14 -- well above the Maryland .08 limit.
Sunday morning via his Twitter and Facebook pages, Phelps posted, saying:
"The past few days have been extremely difficult," Phelps said in a statement. "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.
He added, "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."
This isn't Phelps' first DUI arrest.
"I have already learned from this experience. I will pass this along to others who even think about making the same mistake I made," Phelps said in 2004 after his first arrest.
At the age of 19, the Olympian was arrested for similar charges, taking a plea deal including 18 months probation.
Phelps' trial for his most recent charges is set for November 19.
A spokesperson for Phelps says the facility the Olympian will attend is a six week in-patient program.
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