WASHINGTON –Olympic champion and Baltimore County native Michael Phelps said Sunday that he is going to “take some time away” from swimming following a DUI arrest earlier in the week.
Phelps expressed his intention in a series of tweets Sunday morning. He was stopped on a speeding violation, arrested and charged with DUI on Sept. 30.
Read more about the arrest here.
I’m going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014
I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014
The past few days have been extremely difficult.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014
(3/3) I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014
The 29-year-old Phelps failed a series of field sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol content of 0.14 percent, well above the legal limit of 0.08.
Phelps retired after the 2012 Olympics in London, having won a record 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall. But he returned to competition this year with the goal of making the 2016 Rio Games. His comeback has produced encouraging results, including three golds and two silvers at the Pac Pacific Championships in August.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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