Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr
BALTIMORE, Maryland, October 5. Just days after being arrested for his second DUI in 10 years, Michael Phelps has released a statement over Twitter that he is stepping away from swimming for awhile to check himself into rehab.
“The past few days have been extremely difficult,” Phelps tweeted. “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.”
Phelps was pulled over by an officer for the Maryland Transportation Authority at 1:40 am local time for going 84 miles per hour, 39 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. According to an MDTA statement, Phelps was driving south on I-95 when the officer detected him speeding via radar gun. Phelps was “unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests” and taken to a police station for booking. Phelps was later released, though the statement does not report the conditions of his release nor his alcohol level. He was officially charged with “DUI, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel.”
It wasn’t Phelps’ first brush with the law as he was arrested for a DUI in 2004, and also suspended for three months by USA Swimming after having his picture taken with a bong in 2009.
This is the second high profile rehab for a swimmer, who at one point, was considered the Greatest. Ian Thorpe had his issues earlier this year, after a battle with depression that led to him coming out as gay on Australian television.
USA Swimming later released a statement in support of Phelps’ decision to enter a six-week inpatient program.
Good boy.