Michael Phelps Suspended from Swimming

Michael Phelps had it rough last week. Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months from USA Swimming. On Thursday evening, USA Swimming released the following statement:

"USA Swimming has reprimanded Michael Phelps under its Code of Conduct by withdrawing financial support and the eligibility to compete for a period of three months effective today, Feb. 5, 2009."

"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."

Phelps has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and "has committed to earn back our trust."

Cereal maker Kellogg’s says they are not renewing the swimmer’s contract when it expires at the end of this month. In a statement on Thursday night, they said:

"We originally built the relationship with Michael, as well as the other Olympic athletes, to support our association with the U.S. Olympic team. Michael’s most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg. His contract expires at the end of February and we have made a decision not to extend his contract."

Other sponsors are still supporting Phelps.

Fellow Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz, whose gold medal record Phelps broke, said:

"As strictly a fan, I feel badly for Michael and the situation he has put himself in. I think no one would wish this on anyone, especially the person that gave us a summer like no other in 2008."

Phelps himself said:

"It’s obviously bad judgment and it’s something I’m not proud of at all. I will say that with the mistakes that I’ve made in my life, I’ve learned from them. Every one of them. And I’ve become a better person. That’s what I plan to do from here."

"In his first interview since the bong picture surfaced, Phelps denied being a regular user and added, "This was stupid, and I know this won’t happen again."

Phelps also lost his Kellogg’s endorsement, but many of Phelps’ teammates and colleagues have come to the 23-year-old’s defense.

His coach Bob Bowman said:

"Michael’s been through a lot and he’s learned a lot, hopefully. 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."

41-year-old silver medalist, Dara Torres, whom Phelps jokingly nicknamed "Mom," said:

"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?. The thing I hope is that people realize Michael is still a person and not just a swimming hero," adding, "He didn’t let the USA down at the games, so we shouldn’t let him down."

Fellow swimmer Amanda Beard, who received criticism after posing without clothes on in Playboy, was a little more direct, saying:

"If anyone knows public scrutiny, it’s me. 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."

Rival agent Evan Morgenstein said:

"Enough is enough. 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."

Is the penalty greater than the crime? Considering this isn’t the first "mistake" Phelps has made like this the answer is NO.

Back in November of 2004 Phelps was pulled over for a DUI by a Maryland State Police trooper.

The trooper pulled Phelps over after he failed to halt at a stop sign, the Baltimore Sun reports. (Phelps, who made a splash at the Athens Summer Games, is a Baltimore County resident) He was arrested and later charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, violation of a license restriction and failure to obey a traffic-control device.

Two other passengers were in the car with Phelps when he was stopped in his 2005 Land Rover. It’s the height of irresponsibility to drink and drive with passengers in the car.

After his DUI arrest in 2004 Phelps said:

"Last week, I made a mistake. Getting in a car with anything to drink is wrong, dangerous and unacceptable. I’m 19 but was taught no matter how old you are, you should always take responsibility for your actions, which I will do."

That statement sounds almost identical to the one Phelps made about his bong photo. He clearly hasn’t learned his lesson, and is likely to repeat his drug and alcohol use again. At this point Phelps should consider counseling for his addictive behavior before he really screws up his life and career even more.