Michael Phelps will not attend the Paris 2024 Olympics because he retired from competitive swimming following the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Phelps left an indelible influence on the sport, winning 23 gold medals and 28 overall Olympic medals.
His choice to break away was motivated by a desire to devote more time to his family, mental health, and advocacy work, rather than the exhausting grind of training and competing.
The American had said he would retire after the London 2012 Olympic Games, but four years later he returned to compete in Rio 2016, to put an end to his successful swimming career: “I promised in London that I would not return, but this time it is final. This is what it has been. I’m ready to retire, I’m better prepared mentally than I was four years ago.”
Michael Phelps did not have the smoothest career. The legendary Olympic swimmer had his share of bumps along his path, including police arrests and suspensions from the US swimming team. Phelps has been arrested on DUI charges twice during the span of his career.
Phelps is lauded around the world as the most decorated Olympian of all time. However, not many know that he has been to the Maryland police station a few times. The 23-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested in 2014 on DUI and speeding charges.
Phelps was arrested in Maryland on September 30, 2014. He was driving under the influence according to the Maryland Transportation Authority. The Baltimore Bullet was arrested at around 1:40 am after he crossed double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 in Baltimore.According to police officers, Phelps was driving a white 2014 Land Rover at 84 mph in a 45-mph zone. The officers followed the vehicle and made the arrest. The swimmer was detained and taken for medical tests before being released.
The athlete acknowledged the event and took to his official Twitter account to apologize for his actions. He noted that he understood the severity of his actions and was ‘deeply sorry’. However, the issue didn’t end just there. USA Swimming soon issued a written statement against the athlete and his ‘irresponsible’ actions.USA Swimming said in a statement:
“The news regarding Michael Phelps and his actions are disappointing and unquestionably serious. We expect our athletes to conduct themselves responsibly in and out of the pool.”
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