Michael Phelps DUI

Famous athletes of every generation have had major run-ins with police and media, but few have had as many as Michael Phelps. Phelps was first arrested for driving under the influence in 2004 when he was just 19. Along with racking up gold medals, Phelps is also racking up DUI charges. Last Tuesday, he was arrested at 1:30 in the morning after driving under the influence and reaching a speed of 84 mph in a 45 mph zone while also crossing into two-lane traffic as reported by CNN.

Along with DUI’s, back in 2009 a picture of Phelps smoking off a bong was released to the public. Michael Phelps released sincere apologies after each incident; yet, you’d think he would learn. Back in 2004 Michael Phelps pled guilty for driving under the influence and under-age drinking and made a deal for 18 months probation. In 2009, Phelps was suspended from swimming competitions for nine months. Now, after his second DUI offense, Phelps is suspended for six months and not allowed to compete in the World Championships in April as stated by the U.S.A. swimming association.

Phelps released a series of tweets apologizing for his actions, and also giving a plan to attend a program that will help his issues. In his tweets, Michael expressed what seems to be a sincere apology, but he also did the same in 2004 and 2009.
“I’m going to take some time away to attend a program that will provide the help I need to better understand myself.” says Phelps in a tweet released Sunday.

On his twitter, account Phelps also released a tweet explaining the disappointment in him for his lack of judgment. Many others are disappointed, with his actions as well. Yet many are pleased to hear he is doing his part to fix his issues.

When Travis Gourley, a senior at Urbana High School, was asked about Phelps’s decision making, he said, “He knows that he messed up and from that I think it reflects on his ability to understand what he has done and what he has to do to fix it.”

Prior to this event, it seemed as if Phelps was making a comeback after announcing his retirement just after the London Olympics and possibly even going to make an effort to train for the Rio Olympics in 2016. However, after this incident it is unknown whether Phelps will have the motivation, or even support, to train.

Gourley says on the issue, “I feel like his intensity during training will definitely be lower due to the disappointment with himself. Also, we don’t know how distracting the help program will be to his training.”

Phelps has a huge support group from his fans, coaches, and family. If anyone can possibly get over this barrier, it is definitely Michael Phelps. We can only hope Phelps figures out his issues and can get back in the pool to train for the Rio Olympics to further distance himself as the greatest Olympic champion of all time.