An Olympic silver medalist who won titles around the world in triple jump events has been charged with drink-driving.
Phillips Idowu, 34, was pulled over by police in Epping, Essex, while he was allegedly almost three times over the drink-drive limit.
Idowu, who won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a European gold medal in 2010, is currently on bail ahead of an appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
He gave a breath sample to police after they pulled him over in his white Land Rover at 10am. The sample showed he had 96 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, according to papers filed with the court. The figure is almost three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath.
Idowu was arrested on 20 September and charged with drink-driving. An Essex Police spokesman confirmed that he had been charged.
He said: ‘A man is due to appear in court charged with drink driving after he was stopped by police on Bridge Hill, Epping, shortly before 10am on Friday September 20.
‘Phillips Idowu, 34, unemployed, of Crossing Road, Epping, has been bailed to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Monday October 7.’
The athlete has a string of victories to his name, though he failed to make it past the qualifying rounds of the London Olympics last year.
He has five gold medals to his name, including the 2009 World Championship, 2010 European Championship and 2006 Commonwealth games.
Idowu’s management agency declined to comment on the allegations.