Michael Phelps Confirms Engagement to Former Ms. California Nicole Johnson

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps will soon be tying the knot with his girlfriend Miss California 2010 Nicole Johnson.

Phelps posted on Instagram a photo of him and Johnson hugging while lying on thick snow with the caption, "She said yes." Johnson also responded on her Instagram with her photo having ring on her finger. "I am gonna be a Mrs," she posted.

ESPN said that the 18-time Olympic gold medalist and the former beauty queen have been dating on and off since 2007.

Congratulatory messages stormed the couple on social media, with the most noteworthy one coming from Phelps' sister, Hillary, who posted a photo of the couple on her Facebook page.

"CONGRATULATIONS to these two lovebirds on their engagement! Couldn't be happier for my brother and thrilled to gain a sister, who I adore and love already!" Hillary said in her excitement-filled post.

CNN noted that the couple's engagement came five months after Phelps was suspended from professional USA Swimming following a DUI charge in Maryland, which is a clear violation of the code of conduct of the sport.

He was slapped with a six-month suspension, a period where he will not be able to swim for the team and join other swimmers in this year's world championship.

However, ESPN noted that his suspension will already end in March 6 and Phelps will be returning to the competition in Arizona come April.

Reports noted that after Phelps was arrested last September, he underwent 45 days of inpatient treatment in Arizona. His legal counsel told ESPN that his therapy continued in Maryland.

Last December, the swimmer pleaded guilty to his DUI charge and was placed on probation by a judge who warned him to learn from his experience, or else he will land in jail.

It can be remembered that Phelps already retired from professional swimming after competing in the 2012 London Olympics, noting that he does not want to continue swimming in his late 30s since he already completed all of his goals in his career by winning 18 gold medals and 22 medals overall.

He, however, went back to training two years ago, then competed last April in Mesa. After his return, he won three gold medals and two silvers at Australia's Pan Pacific Championships where he was named Athlete Of The Year despite his suspension.

Although he was able to join the said competition, ESPN said that Phelps failed to get clearance to participate in the world championships in Russia this summer where he is banned from competing.

Despite facing a lot of setbacks in his career, Phelps finally has something to look forward to aside from his comeback in swimming. The public is now excited to know when the couple will exchange their vows.