Phelps gets 3-month suspension
USA Swimming makes decision
USA Swimming slapped Michael Phelps with a three-month suspension from competition and withdrew his monthly stipend Thursday in the latest and strongest response to the furor over a published photo that appeared to show him using marijuana.
The decision from the sport’s national governing body means Phelps will not be able to compete at a handful of popular U. S. grand prix events in the coming months, but he will remain eligible for the U. S. championships in Indianapolis in July, the qualifying event for the world championships in Rome.
“Michael Phelps is the greatest star our sport has ever had and he is a role model and hero for hundreds of thousands of kids,” USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus said in a phone interview. “Under our code of conduct, we felt we had an obligation to address this issue, to send a message to Michael and to our membership.”
The ban was announced shortly after Kellogg Co. said it would not renew its endorsement deal with Phelps, saying his behavior “was not consistent with the image of Kellogg.”
Phelps, 23, who won eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment” after a photo in which he appeared to be using a marijuana pipe was published in a British tabloid over the weekend.
Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman, said Phelps had returned to heavy training this week and would begin two-a-day workouts next week. He said Phelps had planned to open his season at a grand prix event in Austin, Texas, in early March, but would revise his plans.
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