Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps is temporarily leaving the sport for rehab after his second DUI arrest.
“I’m going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself,” Phelps wrote in a series of tweets on Sunday morning.
“Swimming is a major part of my life, but right now I need to focus my attention on me as an individual,” he added.
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Phelp’s announcement came after he was arrested Tuesday and charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lines on Interstate 95 in Baltimore.
The 22-time Olympic medalist was initially pulled over for speeding at 84 MPH in a 45 MPH zone in a white 2014 Land Rover, and failed a sobriety test, a spokesperson with the Maryland Transportation Authority told the TheWrap at the time.
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According to the MDTA, Phelps “was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests. Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process.” He was taken into custody at 1:40 a.m. and later released, police said.
It was the second time Phelps, 29, was arrested and charged with DUI. In 2004, he was stopped near Salisbury University in Maryland after running a stop sign, and charged with DUI, violation of a license restriction and failure to obey a stop sign.
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“I recognize the seriousness of this mistake,” Phelps said during a hearing in 2004. “I’ve learned from this mistake and will continue learning from this mistake for the rest of my life.” He was sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading guilty to drunken driving.
Below are Phelps’ tweets posted Sunday announcing he is seeking treatment.
The past few days have been extremely difficult.
— 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
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
Swimming is a major part of my life, but right now I need to focus my attention on me as an individual,
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014
and do the necessary work to learn from this experience and make better decisions in the future.
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) October 5, 2014