Gold Medal Olympian Michael Phelps was arrested early Tuesday morning in Maryland for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence. Authorities have reported that the swimmer was pulled over at 1:40 am for speeding. Phelps was driving 84 mph in a 45 mph zone. He also reportedly crossed over the double lane lines at the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 in Baltimore.
According to the police statement, an officer spotted a 2014 white Land Rover speeding and followed it through the tunnel. The officer stopped the car around the toll plaza.
The 29-year-old was given a field sobriety test at the scene. A spokesperson for Maryland Transportation Authority told ABC, “Mr. Phelps was identified as the driver by his driver’s license and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests.” Phelps was subsequently charged with DUI, crossing the double lanes, and speeding.
This was not the first time that the Olympian has been charged with DUI. He pleaded guilty to DUI in 2004 and was given 18 months probation.
Phelps announced in April that he was coming out of retirement to swim in the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, Arizona. He had not competed since the 2012 London Olympics. Phelps currently has 18 Olympic gold medals and 22 medals total. He is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.
Phelps said that he returned to the pool because he was bored with retirement and liked the structured schedule of swimming. “It’s good to have some structure back in my life,” Phelps said in July. “That’s how I’ve always been. That’s something I need. I was happy to get that year and a half where I did whatever I wanted, went wherever I wanted. I got that out of the way, and I’m happy to have this back.”
The speculation was that Phelps was deciding on whether or not to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero. He has been training since last fall and also re-entered a drug testing program with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
How his current DUI arrest affects his decision on whether or not to compete in 2016 remains to be seen. Phelps’ rep has yet to comment on the situation.