Michael Phelps suspended for three months
USA Swimming decided to suspend Michael Phelps for three months after a photo appeared in a tabloid showing him smoking from a marijuana pipe.
The organization released a statement that said “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.”
I’m baffled because they said no anti-doping rules were violated, but yet, they suspended him anyway. He also lost an endorsement deal with Kellogg.
Yes, Michael Phelps is a role model, and millions of children look up to him. However, role models do mistakes from time to time, and there’s no need for everyone to start passing judgment on him. I’m sure he will make several other mistakes throughout his life. We all do. That’s part of being a human being.
If he was caught drinking alcohol or smoking a cigarette, I wonder if he would have been suspended for that too? Probably not.
Although I don’t condone marijuana use, it’s not as dangerous as other substances. More people die from alcohol and cigarette use than they do marijuana.
And shame on the person who sold that photo to the tabloid. I’m sure they received a lot of money for it. If I was in that position, I wouldn’t have sold that photo because I don’t believe in causing anyone public humiliation.
UPDATE: On second thought, after examining how empty my bank account is right now, I absolutely would have sold that photo for money. I do have bills to pay.
Tim Henley
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