Phelps Is Given Probation in Drunk Driving Case

Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps was sentenced to 18 months’ probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to drunk driving at Salisbury, Md.

Judge Lloyd O. Whitehead granted Phelps probation before judgment, meaning his record will be expunged if he follows the terms of probation. Phelps pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, and prosecutors dropped charges of driving under the influence, underage drinking and failure to stop at a stop sign.

“I recognize the seriousness of this mistake,� Phelps told the judge. “I’ve learned from this mistake and will continue learning from this mistake for the rest of my life.�

The 19-year-old Phelps was fined $250, must attend a meeting sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and must give speeches to students at three schools by June 1, advising them about making choices and warning them about the dangers of alcohol.

Whitehead also ordered Phelps to abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs during his probation.

As Phelps left the courthouse, the star who won eight medals at the Athens Olympics -- six gold -- was besieged by autograph seekers.

“The past few months have been extremely hard,� Phelps said. “I’m looking forward to getting back into the water and getting back to a normal routine.�

Whitehead agreed to go along with the terms of a probation agreement worked out between defense attorneys and the state.

“We learn from our mistakes, and this was a mistake,� the judge said.

Winter Sports

Austrian downhiller Johann Grugger won his first World Cup race on the course that will play host to the upcoming world championships at Bormio, Italy, while overall Cup leader Bode Miller came in 14th.

Grugger finished in 1 minute, 55.77 seconds, on one of the most physically demanding courses on the World Cup circuit. Austrian Michael Walchhofer, the reigning downhill world champion, was 0.24 seconds behind in second and countryman Fritz Strobl, the Olympic gold medalist, was third. Miller still holds a 876-560 lead in the standings over Austria’s Benjamin Raich, who finished 17th.

Austria’s Marlies Schild won her second World Cup event in as many days, finishing first in the slalom at Semmering, Austria. She won the giant slalom on the same course Tuesday.

Croatia’s Janica Kostelic was second Wednesday, followed by Tanja Poutiainen of Finland.

Janne Ahonen of Finland won for the eighth time in nine World Cup ski jumping events this season, increasing his overall lead to 403 points. Ahonen landed jumps of 127 and 135.5 meters, collecting 268.4 points at Oberstdorf, Germany.

Miscellany

The World Series victory by the Boston Red Sox was voted sports story of the year by Associated Press.

The United States was unable to rally from a four-goal deficit and lost, 5-3, to Belarus in pool play of the World Junior Hockey Championship at Grand Forks, N.D., the Americans’ first loss in the tournament in two years.

In other games, the Czech Republic beat Switzerland, 5-2, Finland rallied to defeat Sweden, 5-4, and Slovakia defeated Germany 5-0.

The loss dropped the United States to 2-1 in the group that includes Russia (2-1), the Czech Republic (2-1) Switzerland (1-2) and Belarus (1-3).

Clint Mathis is heading back to Major League Soccer one year after signing with German team Hannover 96.

The Bundesliga club said that Mathis, a member of the U.S. national team, would join expansion team Real Salt Lake.