OLYMPIC HERO MICHAEL PHELPS WAS SUSPENDED FOR 3 MONTHS DUE TO DRUG ACCUSATIONS

06/02/2009 YAHOO!SPORTS

USA Swimming suspends Phelps for 3 months

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.

(Credits to source: Yahoo!Sports written by Paul Newberry, AP National Writer)

01/02/2009 News Of The World (UK)

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has tonight acknowledged that the shocking photo showing him smoking a cannabis pipe is authentic.

He admitted “regrettable behaviour" and "bad judgement" after the News of the World published an exclusive photo showing him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.







READ ORIGINAL MICHAEL PHELPS DOPE PIPE STORY

In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture.

I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again
“I engaged in behaviour which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgement,” Phelps said.

“I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

BIT OF A SUCKER: Olympic ace Michael Phelps inhales from bong

PROFILE OF MICHAEL PHELPS

Michael Fred Phelps II (born June 30, 1985 in Towson, Maryland) is an American swimmer and World Record Holder in several events. Phelps' achievements include a record of eight medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, six of which were gold, tying the Olympic record for medals at single Olympics, held by Alexander Dityatin since 1980. His international titles, along with his various world records.


PHOTO GALLERIES OF MICHAEL PHELPS




Courtesy to the source: News Of The World