ANKARA
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has been banned from competing for six months after his arrest for alleged drink-driving, U.S.A. Swimming announced Tuesday.
Phelps - the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals, including 18 golds, from three Olympic Games - was banned for damaging the reputation of the sport, the governing body’s website reported.
The 29-year-old will be ineligible to participate in U.S.A. Swimming-sanctioned competitions until April 6 next year and will be withdrawn from the U.S. 2015 World Championship team, so will not represent his country in Kazan, Russia, in August.
Following his arrest in Baltimore, Maryland, last week, Phelps apologized for his behavior. In 2004, he received an 18-month probation order for drink-driving and five years ago was banned from swimming for three months after he was photorgaphed with a cannabis pipe.
After the London Games in 2012, Phelps announced his retirement but changed his mind and had been reportedly preparing for the Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.
www.aa.com.tr/en
