Michael Phelps of the U.S.
Michael Phelps of the U.S. adjusts his cap before competing in the men's 400m individual medley heat at the World Aquatics Championship in Melbourne April 1, 2007. Phelps' bid to win eight gold medals at the world swimming championships was ruined on Sunday when the United States were disqualified from the heats of the men's 4x100 meters medley relay. Reuters

American Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence or DUI on Tuesday and later apologised for the incident via social media Twitter.

Phelps, who is the most bemedalled Olympic athlete of all time, was pulled over early Tuesday after clocking in at 135 kilometres per hour in a 72 kilometre per hour zone in a Baltimore tunnel in Maryland in the United States.

"He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests," an official police statement stated after the incident.

By Tuesday afternoon, Phelps, who is from Towson, Maryland took to Twitter to apologise for his actions earlier in the day.

(1/3) Earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines.

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014

(2/3) I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility. — Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014

(3/3) I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down.

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) September 30, 2014

Aside from the DUI charge, Phelps was other charges include excessive speed and crossing double lane lines.

This is the second time that Phelps has been arrested on DUI-related charges after a 2004 incident when he was sentenced to 18-months probation due to driving while impaired, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Phelps has 22 medals in various Olympic games— Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 with the record 18 gold medals plus 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.

RELATED STORIES