After reporting that USA Swimming has not taken any disciplinary action for Michael Phelps arrest, it seemed like they already had made a decision to sanction the swimmer to six months suspension following his arrest.
Phelps was arrested in Baltimore early Tuesday and charged with drunken driving. Based on police records, he failed a series of field sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol content of 0.14 percent, well above the legal limit of 0.08.
Phelps has just recently made a comeback after announcing that he is retiring from the games. Because of his DUI arrest, USA Swimming suspending the 18-time Olympic champion for six months and forcing him to withdraw from next year's world championships.
Aside from that, he has also lost six months of funding from the sport's national governing body as a result of his second DUI arrest.
According to a statement from his representatives at Octagon "'Michael accepts USA Swimming's sanctions. He has apologized for his actions and, as he shared yesterday, is taking steps to address them."
U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said of the sanction "We think the sanctions are appropriate and we are glad that Michael is seeking help. We are grateful that nobody was hurt and appreciate the speed at which USA Swimming and Michael took action."
According to the USA Swimming, Phelps has violated the organizations Code of Conduct specifically in the 2014 Rule Book.
USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus said "Michael's conduct was serious and required significant consequences. We endorse and are here to fully support his personal development actions."
This is the second DUI of the Olympian. His first DUI was when he was 19. He pleaded guilty to the charges and since he was still young them he was able to avoid conviction. He was just given probation before judgment and sentenced to 18 months on probation and a fine.
According to Octagon, the swimmer is entering "a comprehensive program that will help him focus on all of his life experiences and identify areas of need for long-term personal growth and development. Michael takes this matter seriously and intends to share his learning experiences with others in the future."
