Phelps looking to make a comeback for Rio Olympics (Photo : (REUTERS/MIKE SEGAR))
Swimming icon Michael Phelps wants to add to his collection of 24 Olympic medals that he won in the international sport events since 2004. To do that, he promised not to drink liquor the next 12 months in the run-up to the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.
Because of his vices, Phelps has two run-ins with the law, resulting in his undergoing rehabilitation for 45 days and enrolling in Alcoholics Anonymous. He was first caught in 2004 by state troopers in Salisbury, Maryland, when he beat a red traffic light. He served an 18-month probation.
Four years later, Phelps was photographed smoking out of a bong while attending a student party at the University of Southern California. Besides being suspended for swimming for three months, Phelps lost some of his sponsors such as Kellogg.
In September 2014, he was again arrested for DUI that got him a one-year suspended prison sentence and an 18-month supervised probation. He was banned from USA Swimming for six month. After receiving the sentence, Phelps issued this statement.
If Phelps manages to keep his promise and stay sober for one year, he would be cement further his status as the winningest athlete in the history of the Olympics. Phelps changed his mind when he announced that he would retire from competitive swimming after the 2012 Olympics in London.
As part of his second DUI offense, Phelps is not competing in the world championships in Kazan, Russia. However, he will compete in four events at the U.S. Championships in San Antonio, Texas, beginning on Thursday. Phelps will swim in the 100- and 200-meter butterfly, the 200 individual medley and the 200 breaststroke, reports KTBS.
