Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps, who won six gold medals at the Athens Games in August, was sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading guilty to driving while impaired.

The 19-year-old American had probation before judgment granted by judge Lloyd O. Whitehead, which means his record can be expunged if he meets the terms of his probation.

Charges of driving under the influence, underage drinking and failure to stop at a stop sign were dropped.

According to his sentencing, Phelps was fined 250 dollars in addition to having to pay 55 dollars in court costs.

He must report to a probation officer once a month, attend a meeting sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and give three speeches to school students about the dangers of alcohol by June 1.

He also was ordered to abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs during his probation period.

Phelps, two years younger than Maryland's legal age for drinking alcohol, was stopped by police on November 4 after he ran a stop sign. He was arrested after a series of field sobriety tests.

Phelps fell one gold medal short of matching Mark Spitz's Olymic record of seven in Athens, but came away from the Games with eight medals in total, including two bronze.

He missed out on a one million-dollar bonus that would have come from matching Spitz, but that Speedo sponsor deal included another chance at the jackpot at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

(Agencies)