Michael Phelps said Sunday that he was stepping away from swimming, but it turns out he didn't have much choice.
USA Swimming suspended the 22-Time Olympic medalist for six months Monday for violating its code of conduct. Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence last week in Baltimore, Maryland.
The six-month suspension will keep the most-decorated Olympian ever sidelined from all USA-sanctioned competitions, though he's still allowed to train. He won't be able to compete on Team USA at the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships in Russia, and Phelps won't receive any of his monthly stipend during the period.
According to Octagon, the people who represent the swimmer, Phelps will enter a 6-month in-patient rehab program as well.
USA Swimming's executive director said in statement, "Michael’s conduct was serious and required significant consequences. ... [He] has publicly acknowledged the impact of his decisions ... and the steps necessary for self-improvement."
ESPN senior writer Bonnie Ford says Phelps' suspension likely won't have any affect on the 2016 Olympic games, but, regardless, thinks the Olympic champion needs to clean up his act.
"Now with two DUIs ten years apart and the marijuana incident. ... He has, at the very least, a problem with risky behavior and he can't continue to gloss over the consequences with everything he has at stake."
The man who Sports Illustrated recently dubbed the best athlete of the past decade was pretty upfront about his out-of-pool behaviors on Twitter Sunday. He posted a series of apologetic tweets and said he plans to work on his problems.
Phelps will be able to compete again in USA Swimming competitions starting April 6, 2015.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
