Olympian Phelps arrested for DUI

Associated Press

Olympic champion Michael Phelps was arrested for the second time on DUI charges early Tuesday in his hometown of Baltimore, another embarrassment for a swimmer who came out of retirement this year with his sights set on competing at the Rio Games.

Phelps issued an apology that sounded very familiar to the ones he made after a drunken-driving arrest a decade ago, as well as when a British tabloid published a photograph in 2009 that showed him using a marijuana pipe.

“I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility,” Phelps said in a statement. “I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down.”

Maryland Transportation Authority police charged the 18-time gold medalist after officers said his 2014 Land Rover was going 84 mph in a 45-mph zone and he failed field sobriety tests.

The arrest came about a month after the 29-year-old Phelps won three gold medals and two silvers at the Pan Pacific Championships in Australia.

It’s too early to say if Phelps might face sanctions from USA Swimming, which took no action after his 2004 arrest but suspended him from competition for three months over the pot picture.

“The news regarding Michael Phelps and his actions are disappointing and unquestionably serious,” the national governing body said in a statement. “We expect our athletes to conduct themselves responsibly in and out of the pool.”