Washington – US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge almost three months after he was arrested in Baltimore, Maryland.
The 18-time Olympic gold medal swimmer entered his plea in a court in Baltimore. He was sentenced to 18 months probation for a charge of driving under the influence, a court document emailed to dpa said.
Phelps, 29, was arrested on September 30 for speeding and crossing the centre lane line while driving in a tunnel. Police said his blood alcohol percentage was 0.14, well over the legal limit of 0.08 per cent in Maryland.
A week after his arrest, USA Swimming suspended Phelps for six months. The court also ordered him to complete an alcohol treatment programme.
Phelps admitted the day after he was arrested that he had been charged with driving under the influence, speeding and crossing double lane lines.
It was Phelps' second arrest for driving under the influence. The other case occurred 10 years ago in Maryland when he was 19
years old. He also pleaded guilty in that case in exchange for 18
months probation.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, has competed in three summer Olympic Games. In addition to his 18 gold medals, he won two silver and two bronze medals.– Sapa-dpa