Other Sports USA Swimming suspends Phelps for 3 months

Fritz88 · 02-05-2009, 09:19 PM

So much for a bong

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

USA Swimming suspends Phelps for 3 months

By PAUL NEWBERRY and BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writers 17 minutes ago

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 Springs-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.

“Michael’s been through a lot and he’s learned a lot, hopefully,” his coach, Bob Bowman, told The Associated Press during a telephone interview. “I support him and I want to see him do better. I’m here, as always, to try to help him move forward. He’s learned some tough lessons and he’s disappointed a lot of people, me included.”

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.

“I certainly understand USA Swimming needed to take action,” Bowman said. “We will certainly abide by everything they’ve put down.”

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 planned to compete in early March at a Grand Prix meet in Austin, Texas.

Now, he won’t be able to compete until early May, which would give him a little more than two months for some racing before July’s world championships in Rome.

“This is the result of a poor decision Michael made,” U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Darryl Seibel said in an e-mail. “He understands there is accountability and has pledged to not repeat this in the future. We have offered our assistance to make certain he is as consistent and successful away from the pool as he is in it, and we are confident that will happen.”

After the suspension, Phelps would be able to compete at a May meet in Charlotte, N.C.; there’s another Grand Prix competition in Santa Clara, Calif., the following month. The U.S. team for Rome will be chosen at the national championships, which begin July 7 in Indianapolis.

“He’s been very good in practice,” Bowman said. “I think he feels good to be back in the water. Certainly, he’s not in very good shape.

“We’re anxious to get back to a really normal routine and we have. We’re moving on.”

Several of Phelps’ Olympic teammates rallied to his defense. Among them was Dara Torres, the 41-year-old silver medalist whom Phelps jokingly referred to in Beijing as “Mom.”

“I see him as a kid trying to grow up in the most intense spotlight known to any athlete. He has apologized and what else can he do?” she told the AP by telephone. “The thing I hope is that people realize Michael is still a person and not just a swimming hero.”

Torres said she sent Phelps a text a few days ago to extend her support.

“He didn’t let the USA down at the games, so we shouldn’t let him down,” she said.

Torres doesn’t expect a three-month suspension in a non-Olympic year to have much affect on Phelps’ career. He intends to keep swimming through the 2012 London Games.

“Knowing Michael the way I do, I guarantee you it’s going to make him want to do well,” Torres said. “All this is going to do is light a fire under him.”

Amanda Beard compared Phelps’ ordeal to some of the disdain she faced after posing nude in Playboy magazine before the Beijing Games.

“If anyone knows public scrutiny, it’s me,” the four-time Olympian said in a text message. “When I posed for Playboy, so many officials looked down on me. Michael knows he isn’t a bad person. He made a mistake. People need to get over it. I want to cheer him on in London.”

Even a rival agent came to Phelps’ defense.

“Enough is enough,” said Evan Morgenstein, who represents a large number of Olympic swimmers. “The penalty is far greater than the crime. He has said he is sorry. Let’s move on to the real problems in this country.”

Hammock Parties · 02-05-2009, 09:20 PM

In related news, Phelps will vacation in Aruba starting tomorrow. He plans to ****. And drink.

big nasty kcnut · 02-05-2009, 09:30 PM

If you win 8 golds medals you can do most anything you want. If he want to do two babes on national tv then let him.
Posted via Mobile Device

Silock · 02-05-2009, 09:31 PM

lol What a joke

So reeruned.

Hammock Parties · 02-05-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big nasty kcnut

If he want to do two babes on national tv then let him.
Posted via Mobile Device

I would watch Josh Phelps porn. He has a killer body. I wonder if he has the junk to match? He's a tall guy, so maybe?

Fritz88 · 02-05-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

So reeruned.

In fact, I believe he has some form of reerunation.

**Smed1065** · 02-05-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big nasty kcnut

If you win 8 golds medals you can do most anything you want. If he want to do two babes on national tv then let him.
Posted via Mobile Device

Worthless w/o pictures!

FloridaMan88 · 02-05-2009, 10:23 PM

America (and the World apparently) needs to get a collective life. Seriously this kid was caught inhaling from a bong at a college party. He didn't kill anyone, he didn't cause thousands of people to lose millions in a massive ponzi scheme, he didn't rack up thousands of dollars worth of unpaid taxes... he is 23 years old, went to a college party and INHALED FROM A FREAKING BONG.

The only thing he should be guilty of is being dumb enough to apparently not realize there would be cameras and cell phone cameras on his every move at this party.

**Saulbadguy** · 02-05-2009, 10:29 PM

THIS COUNTRY IS GONE TO THA SHITTAH!!!!

**DeezNutz** · 02-05-2009, 10:31 PM

More time to smoke. **** yeah!

bowener · 02-05-2009, 10:39 PM

Phelps smokes pot, gets suspended.

Ray Lewis rolls on a friend, gets off the murder 1 charge, no suspension.

Cool.

Dayze · 02-06-2009, 12:36 AM

F&ck USA swimming. Phelps probably did more for them than they could ever hope for.

Plus it's foolish to think such a ban would influence his future actions. He has 8+ gold medals I believe; that would probably translate into $500 on the Cash4Gold website.
He could use that $$$ to take a well earned vacation.

blueballs · 02-06-2009, 12:52 AM

If only those who haven't touched the stuff
could enforce the laws and prosecute or
pass judgement -this wouldn't be a problem

Kerberos · 02-06-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I would watch Josh Phelps porn. He has a killer body. I wonder if he has the junk to match? He's a tall guy, so maybe?

Dude

beach tribe · 02-06-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I would watch Josh Phelps porn. He has a killer body. I wonder if he has the junk to match? He's a tall guy, so maybe?

Why why Why?????!!!!! Scratch that. I know why. There's no doubt in my mind. NTTAWWT.

02-05-2009, 09:19 PM
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8505943	USA Swimming suspends Phelps for 3 months So much for a bong http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns USA Swimming suspends Phelps for 3 months By PAUL NEWBERRY and BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writers 17 minutes ago 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 Springs-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. “Michael’s been through a lot and he’s learned a lot, hopefully,” his coach, Bob Bowman, told The Associated Press during a telephone interview. “I support him and I want to see him do better. I’m here, as always, to try to help him move forward. He’s learned some tough lessons and he’s disappointed a lot of people, me included.” 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. “I certainly understand USA Swimming needed to take action,” Bowman said. “We will certainly abide by everything they’ve put down.” 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 planned to compete in early March at a Grand Prix meet in Austin, Texas. Now, he won’t be able to compete until early May, which would give him a little more than two months for some racing before July’s world championships in Rome. “This is the result of a poor decision Michael made,” U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Darryl Seibel said in an e-mail. “He understands there is accountability and has pledged to not repeat this in the future. We have offered our assistance to make certain he is as consistent and successful away from the pool as he is in it, and we are confident that will happen.” After the suspension, Phelps would be able to compete at a May meet in Charlotte, N.C.; there’s another Grand Prix competition in Santa Clara, Calif., the following month. The U.S. team for Rome will be chosen at the national championships, which begin July 7 in Indianapolis. “He’s been very good in practice,” Bowman said. “I think he feels good to be back in the water. Certainly, he’s not in very good shape. “We’re anxious to get back to a really normal routine and we have. We’re moving on.” Several of Phelps’ Olympic teammates rallied to his defense. Among them was Dara Torres, the 41-year-old silver medalist whom Phelps jokingly referred to in Beijing as “Mom.” “I see him as a kid trying to grow up in the most intense spotlight known to any athlete. He has apologized and what else can he do?” she told the AP by telephone. “The thing I hope is that people realize Michael is still a person and not just a swimming hero.” Torres said she sent Phelps a text a few days ago to extend her support. “He didn’t let the USA down at the games, so we shouldn’t let him down,” she said. Torres doesn’t expect a three-month suspension in a non-Olympic year to have much affect on Phelps’ career. He intends to keep swimming through the 2012 London Games. “Knowing Michael the way I do, I guarantee you it’s going to make him want to do well,” Torres said. “All this is going to do is light a fire under him.” Amanda Beard compared Phelps’ ordeal to some of the disdain she faced after posing nude in Playboy magazine before the Beijing Games. “If anyone knows public scrutiny, it’s me,” the four-time Olympian said in a text message. “When I posed for Playboy, so many officials looked down on me. Michael knows he isn’t a bad person. He made a mistake. People need to get over it. I want to cheer him on in London.” Even a rival agent came to Phelps’ defense. “Enough is enough,” said Evan Morgenstein, who represents a large number of Olympic swimmers. “The penalty is far greater than the crime. He has said he is sorry. Let’s move on to the real problems in this country.”
Posts: 12,706

02-05-2009, 09:20 PM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1060478	In related news, Phelps will vacation in Aruba starting tomorrow. He plans to ****. And drink. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,646

02-05-2009, 09:30 PM	#3
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $-1969100	If you win 8 golds medals you can do most anything you want. If he want to do two babes on national tv then let him. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 19,338

02-05-2009, 09:31 PM	#4
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	lol What a joke So reeruned.
Posts: 19,908

02-05-2009, 10:23 PM	#8
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $-487094	America (and the World apparently) needs to get a collective life. Seriously this kid was caught inhaling from a bong at a college party. He didn't kill anyone, he didn't cause thousands of people to lose millions in a massive ponzi scheme, he didn't rack up thousands of dollars worth of unpaid taxes... he is 23 years old, went to a college party and INHALED FROM A FREAKING BONG. The only thing he should be guilty of is being dumb enough to apparently not realize there would be cameras and cell phone cameras on his every move at this party.
Posts: 49,621

02-05-2009, 10:29 PM	#9
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $736966	THIS COUNTRY IS GONE TO THA SHITTAH!!!!
Posts: 47,020

02-05-2009, 10:39 PM	#11
bowener BAMF! Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $9549897	Phelps smokes pot, gets suspended. Ray Lewis rolls on a friend, gets off the murder 1 charge, no suspension. Cool. __________________ Main Entry: bowe·ner Pronunciation: \ˈbō-nər\ Function: noun Date: circa 2007
Posts: 8,358

02-06-2009, 12:36 AM	#12
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $1989358	F&ck USA swimming. Phelps probably did more for them than they could ever hope for. Plus it's foolish to think such a ban would influence his future actions. He has 8+ gold medals I believe; that would probably translate into $500 on the Cash4Gold website. He could use that $$$ to take a well earned vacation. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,449

02-06-2009, 12:52 AM	#13
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	If only those who haven't touched the stuff could enforce the laws and prosecute or pass judgement -this wouldn't be a problem
Posts: 14,233