Michael Phelps Pleads Guilty To DUI: Going To Jail? Rio Games In Jeopardy For Champion Olympic Swimmer On Probation

Michael Phelps has pled guilty to his second DUI charge stemming from the Olympic swimming champion's Sep. 30 Maryland arrest for driving with a blood alcohol content nearly double the legal limit, after being clocked driving 84 mph in a 45 mph zone.The 18-time Olympic gold medallist was given a one-year suspended sentence that will involve a 18-month supervised probation and a two month suspension of his driving license. His close friend and 'long-time' mentor, former Baltimore Raven linebacker Ray Lewis, was in court to support Phelps. USA Swimming also suspended Phelps for six months after the September arrest. He will miss the 2015 FINA championships, but still be able to train for the 2016 Rio Games.

Phelps addressed the media on the steps of the Baltimore District Court and, according to the Baltimore Sun, said that "The last three months of my life have been some of the hardest times I've ever gone through. Some of the biggest learning experiences that I've ever had, finding out a lot about myself."

"For this day," he continued, "I'm happy to be moving forward, and I'll continue to grow from this. I'll continue on my path of recovery. The next couple years are going to be very challenging, and I'm very pleased and very happy that I have great support around me."

As CBS News reported, Phelps was partying in a private room at Horseshoe Casino, and a breathalyzer test "revealed Phelps with a blood alcohol level of .14 -- well over the state's .08 limit."

Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps pleads guilty to drunken driving https://t.co/CrxxSukDZU pic.twitter.com/t9txsNso3Q

— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 19, 2014

 According to the Baltimore Sun report, Phelps' lawyer Steven A. Allen said "I think this has driven home, in a very meaningful way to him, what needs to be done." He added that he has "the greatest degree of confidence this will never happen again."

Because of the 18 month supervised probation, Phelps will not be allowed to use any drugs or alcohol. As USA Today report, Phelps has already "completed a 45-day treatment program in Arizona and that he's now in an after-care program with a provider in Towson, Md."

Phelps is reportedly still able to train as tries to qualify for the 2018 Rio de Janeiro Olympic games.