Gold medalist Michael Phelps pleads guilty to DUI

BALTIMORE (AP) — Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps pleaded guilty to drunken driving today, almost three months after he was arrested after leaving a Baltimore casino.

Phelps, 29, was sentenced to a year in prison, but the prison sentence is suspended. He must be on probation for 18 months.

The swimmer was contrite in court, with his attorney detailing his pursuit of sobriety since his arrest, including 45 days of inpatient treatment in Arizona. A letter from his doctor there was glowing, saying he was forthright and cooperative.

Phelps also is attending Alcoholics Anonymous and is continuing with therapy in Maryland.

"I now have the tools to move past this. What I did was wrong, and I made a bad mistake. I'm looking forward to having a much brighter future than I had in the past," Phelps told the judge.

Judge Nathan Braverman told Phelps that success overcoming alcohol would not come overnight, and warned him of the consequences of another slip-up.

"You don't need a lecture from the court," Judge Braverman said. "If you haven't gotten the message by now, or forget the message, the only option is jail."