BALTIMORE, Maryland
World-renowned Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has apologized following his arrest for drink-driving in the United States.
Phelps apology came on Wednesday, a day after he was arrested in Baltimore, Maryland.
The AP news agency reported the 29-year-old US swimmer saying: "I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility and - I know these words may not mean much right now - but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down."
Maryland Transportation Authority police confirmed that Phelps had been charged with driving under the influence (of alcohol), speeding and crossing double-lane lines on an interstate in Baltimore.
Officials said Phelps was seen driving excessively fast and failed to pass sobriety tests after police officers pulled him over.
The Olympic swimmer was arrested and taken to a transportation authority station before being released.
- 'Never again' vow
It has not the first time that Phelps has been charged with driving under the influence in Maryland.
He received an 18-month-probation and a $250 fine for a similar offense in 2004.
In 2009, he was spotted smoking cannabis and banned from competitions for three months.
He promised that he would never repeat such a mistake.
A Baltimore county native, Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever, with 22 Olympic medals - including 18 gold ones - to date.
Having competed in the last three Olympic Games respectively: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012, Phelps had announced his retirement, but declared in April that he was going to return to competitions.
The swimmer has been preparing for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.
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