USA Swimming suspends Phelps for 3 months

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 9:30pm

Michael Phelps was suspended from competition for three months by USA Swimming, the latest fallout from a photo that showed the Olympic great inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

The sport’s national governing body also cut off its financial support to Phelps for the same three-month period, effective Thursday.

“This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero,” the Colorado-based federation said in a statement.

“Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust.”

Phelps won a record eight gold medals in Beijing and returned to America as one of the world’s most acclaimed athletes. Now he’s enduring a wave of bad news in the wake of the photo, published Sunday by News of the World, a British tabloid.

Earlier Thursday, cereal and snack maker Kellogg Co. announced it wouldn’t renew its sponsorship contract with Phelps, saying his behavior is “not consistent with the image of Kellogg.” The swimmer appeared on the company’s cereal boxes after his Olympic triumph.

Phelps has acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment.” He didn’t dispute the authenticity of the photo, reportedly taken at a house party while Phelps was visiting Columbia, S.C., in November during an extended break from training.

The 23-year-old has resumed training in his hometown of Baltimore, but his plans to return to competitive swimming will have to be put on hold. Phelps had been planning to compete in early March at a Grand Prix meet in Austin, Texas.

Now, he won’t be able to allowed to compete until early May, which would give him just over two months to get in some racing before July’s world championships in Rome.
Link

[shira467]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 9:35pm

What is USA Swimming doing for his "financial support"?

[Yawper]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 9:39pm

This suspension's nothing more than for appearances. His previous DUI was totally ignored.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 9:50pm

I wonder if he cares.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 10:02pm

Christ almighty. The kid hit a bong. Get over it!

[mauriposa]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 12:06am

Ehh. I'd still do him.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 12:11am

Phyllis, I would prefer that my kid's not smoke pot, but this is so ridiulous. The kid who had the pressure of the entire country performed an unhuman feat, and then is knocked down for a little pot? Down right silly!

[nygrl232]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 3:19am

Bet they're a bunch of hypocrites, too.

[Beergoggles]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 4:57am

Surely Kellogs would love this? He chooses them for his munchies... :p

[WOSQ]

Posted: 2/6/09 at 9:54am

Don't tell each other how you feel about this. Tell USA Swimming and Kellogg's. I have via email.

He is not banned from swimming. He just cannot practice with a sanctioned USA Swimming team or probably coach. He could get a private unaffiliated coach to work with him.

Wheaties taste like crisp library paste anyway. Another reason to go after Cheerios.

I am a US Masters Swimmer and coach. This is where swimmers go after their hyper-competitive days are over.