MICHAEL PHELPS HAS announced he will take a break from swimming to “better understand myself” after his recent arrest for drink driving.
The 18-time Olympic gold medallist was stopped on September 30 after being clocked by police doing 85mph in a 45mph zone.
Having been “unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests”, the 29-year-old was charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines.
Phelps has now confirmed on his official Twitter account that he will withdraw from competition to attend a program, with a view to dealing with his issues.
“The past few days have been extremely difficult,” he wrote. “I recognise that this is not my first lapse in judgement, 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 only returned to swimming in April, having retired after winning four gold medals at London 2012, and recently claimed three wins at the Pan Pacific Championships in Gold Coast, Australia.
The swimmer was previously arrested for drink driving in 2004. He pleaded guilty to a the charge and was fined $250 and ordered to serve 18 months’ probation.
