Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all-time who has won 18 gold medals across the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games, was caught traveling at 84mph in a 45mph zone in Baltimore on September 30.

He was subsequently tested at nearly twice the legal alcohol limit

As well as his suspended sentence, which will mean he avoids jail unless he commits a further offence, the 29-year-old was also sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation, while he must totally abstain from drinking alcohol throughout this period.

He is also currently serving a six month ban from swimming, while USA Swimming has already announced he will not compete at next August's International Swimming Federation World Championships in Kazan, although he remains in training despite the ban.

Speaking after his verdict, Phelps was optimistic about the future, revealing he had also spent time at the Meadows Addiction Treatment Centre in Arizona since the incident.

"I'm finding out a lot about myself, and for this day I'm happy to be moving forward, and I'll continue to grow from this and continue to be on my path to recovery," he said.

"The next couple of years are going to be very challenging.

"I'm very pleased and happy that I have the great support that I have around me."

"I know I still have work to do but I have great support around me and look forward to a brighter future, I am back in the pool training and have set new goals for myself in and out of swimming for 2015 and beyond."

Michael Phelps, pictured competing earlier this year, is no stranger to controversy
©Getty Images



Phelps, considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, returned to action earlier this year after initially announcing his retirement after London 2012.

Although he has not yet returned to the dominant heights of earlier in his career, his time of 51.17 still puts him top of the world rankings for the 100 metres butterfly, while he also features prominently in the rankings for several other events, meaning he remains a legitimate medal contender for Rio 2016.

Phelps is no stranger to controversy, having been previously charged for driving under the influence in Maryland in 2004 aged 19, after which he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in exchange for 18 months' probation.

In February 2009, a photograph was also published of Phelps using a water pipe, a device used for smoking tobacco or marijuana, resulted in the loss of sponsorship and a three-month suspension by USA Swimming. 

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