Michael Phelps USA Swimming Suspension Lifted
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Back in the water. With his USA Swimming suspension officially ending, Michael Phelps is clear to return to the pool.
Amy Yensi has more on the next step for the highly decorated Olympian.
Even though Phelps was punished and suspended, he still managed to not miss too many of the big swimming events.
After months of watching from the edge of the pool, Michael Phelps can jump back in. He's cleared to return to competitive swimming.
Phelps was suspended for six months after being arrested and charged with drunk driving by MTA Police this past September after he was spotted driving erratically along I-95.
Sports public relations expert John Maroon says while penalizing Phelps was fair, the punishment can't go on forever.
"You can't have a double standard just because he's the greatest swimmer that ever lived. He had to pay his price, and he has," said Maroon.
In December, Phelps pleaded guilty to the DUI charge--his second in 10 years.
The gold medalist is still serving the 18 months of probation he received from a Baltimore district judge. The court of public opinion seems a little more forgiving.
"Everyone makes mistakes. It shouldn't kill his career just for one mistake," said Ben Appleby.
Phelps responded to the drunken driving arrest by seeking alcohol abuse treatment at an in-patient center in Arizona.
Now, the record setting swimmer will be heading to Arizona for the Arena Pro Swim Series.
"I think if he messes up again that people might just give up on him, but I think he's got it still," said Vanye Eley.
Taking to Twitter to share his excitement, tweeting Monday morning:
My suspension is finally up! Time to get back in the pool and race again! Looking forward to #mesa !!
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) April 6, 2015
The meet runs from April 15 through April 18, and the Olympian will be there to do what he's best known for.
Phelps has qualified for three individual events at the world championships, but does not need to participate to earn a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.
Last month, USA Swimming executive director Chuch Wielgus said there was a chance Phelps could be restored to the U.S. team for the FINA World Championships.
