Phelps Faces DUI Charges

Olympic swim star Michael Phelps, winner of six gold medals in Athens, was charged with drunk driving after being arrested last week at Salisbury, Md.

Phelps, 19, also faces charges of failure to obey a stop sign and violation of a license restriction.

A trooper spotted Phelps going through a stop sign Thursday night, observed signs of intoxication and arrested Phelps for driving under the influence, media reports said.

In the aftermath, Phelps has been making a flurry of phone calls to various media outlets, including the Baltimore Sun, Associated Press and The Times, eager to express his contrition.

He read a brief statement Monday afternoon, but declined to answer questions about the incident.

“Last week I made a mistake and I wanted to share my feelings,” Phelps said. “Getting into a car after anything to drink is wrong. It’s dangerous and unacceptable.

“I’m 19, but was taught no matter how old you are you should take responsibility for your actions, which I will do. I’m sorry and I made a mistake.”

Lisa Dillman

*

Soccer

Coach Arsene Wenger of Arsenal in the English Premier League was cited with improper conduct by the Football Assn. for calling Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy a “cheat” for a knee-high tackle on Ashley Cole in a game Oct. 24.

Wenger could be banned from the sideline for several games.

Martin Jol was appointed coach at Tottenham in England, three days after Jacques Santini resigned for personal reasons.

*

Miscellany

Olympic champions Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Michael Johnson, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Otis Davis head a list of athletes who will be inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame on Dec. 3.

Others who will be inducted are athletes Michael Conley, Jack Davis, Gerry Lindgren and John Pennel, contributor Dr. Evie Dennis and coach Stan Huntsman.

New York Ranger forward Jaromir Jagr is leaving the league in his native Czech Republic to play with Omsk Avangard of the Russian league during the NHL lockout, Canadian Press reported.

Mahyar Monshipour (26-2-2) of France retained his World Boxing Assn. super-bantamweight title by stopping Yoddamrong Sithyodthong (41-2) of Thailand in the sixth round at Paris.

Olympic figure skating bronze medalist Timothy Goebel said he has ended his partnership with coach Frank Carroll and is training with Audrey Weisiger, former coach of three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss.