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WASHINGTON. — Olympic swimming superstar Michael Phelps was arrested on Tuesday in his home state of Maryland for driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding, police said.
Phelps — the most decorated Olympian of all time with 18 golds out of 22 total medals and an eye on another run at the 2016 Games in Rio — later apologised, saying he was “deeply sorry” for his actions.

The 29-year-old was pulled over early Tuesday after his white Land Rover was clocked at 84 miles (135 kilometres) per hour in a 45 mph zone in Baltimore’s Fort McHenry Tunnel, Maryland Transportation Authority Police said.

“He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests,” it added in a statement.
Phelps has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), excessive speed and crossing double lane lines. Police later confirmed that the DUI accusation involved alcohol.
The swimming champion quickly expressed remorse.

“I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility,” he told his 1.6 million Twitter followers. — AFP.