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Michael Phelps has been suspended from all competition for six months by USA Swimming following his drink-driving arrest. Phelps, 29, was stopped by police after being caught travelling at 84mph (135km/h) in a 45mph zone in Baltimore, Maryland, on 30 September. The most decorated Olympian in history, he apologised before announcing he was taking a break from the sport.
He will not be selected for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Although his ban ends on April 6, 2015, USA Swimming say Phelps will not be chosen to represent the United States team at next August’s championships.
He has also had his funding withdrawn for the length of his ban.
Phelps won 22 Olympic medals between 2004 and 2012, 18 of them gold.
He retired after the London Games but returned to competition in April.
Phelps was previously charged with driving under the influence in Maryland in 2004. He pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in exchange for 18 months’ probation. — BBC Sport
Online Reporter