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Michael Phelps has been banned for six months by USA Swimming following his second DUI arrest. The American swimming champion’s ban goes up to April 2015 but the governing body confirmed that he will also be excluded from the US team competing in August at the world championships in Kazan, Russia.
It was Phelps second arrest in 10 years. The 18-time Olympic gold medalist was caught by a police officer after the swimmer was driving at 84 miles per hour in a 45 mph speed zone. He had a blood-alcohol content of 0.14, which is nearly twice the legal limit.
Although the court can slash a fine and put the swimmer on probation, USA Swimming showed that it hold a much higher power. "Michael's conduct was serious and required significant consequences," USA Swimming said in a statement following the announcement of the ban.
Phelps regretted his decisions and understood that he will have to accept the punishment. "I recognize that this is not my first lapse in judgment, and I am extremely disappointed with myself," Phelps said.
