Olympic Medallist Michael Phelps Arrested On DUI Charges, Apologises To Fans.

Michael Phelps was arrested early Tuesday morning in Maryland for driving under the influence of alcohol at

about 1:40 a.m. in the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95.

“A Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police Officer was operating stationary radar on southbound I-395 leaving Baltimore City when a White 2014 Land Rover entered the radar’s area of influence at excessive speed (84 mph in a 45 mph zone)," the MDTA said in a statement. 

"The officer followed the vehicle onto northbound I-95, through the tunnel and initiated an enforcement stop just beyond the tunnel’s toll plaza. 

Mr. Phelps was identified as the driver by his driver’s license and appeared to be under the influence. He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests. Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process.”

Phelps was charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed, and crossing double lane lines, and was later released. Phelps, 29, was also arrested in 2004 on DUI charges. In a plea agreement, he was placed on 18 months' probation.

Apologising for his behavior, Michael Phelps tweeted:

Phelps last swam in the Olympics in 2012, but has been swimming competitively in recent months as part of an apparent comeback for Rio 2016.