Phelps comeback confirmed

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Former Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 06:47:28 GMT

So... after rehab and forced time out, it's back to Mesa and another comeback! This time in 2015! i hate that you resurrected this thread. i read the whole thing before i realized it was created back in 2014 >.<

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Redbird Alum — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 02:30:45 GMT

So... after rehab and forced time out, it's back to Mesa and another comeback! This time in 2015!

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Former Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 14:53:29 GMT

Phelps did put the lives of innocent people at risk, and he knew he did, and it wasn't the first time so I don't think it's a fair comparison. A lot of elite athletes have huge egos. It's a component of their personality that enables them to hit the elite ranks. Like politicians. Driving drunk is in a separate category altogether. No excuse. How many people on this forum have gotten behind the wheel of a car with a buzz or more than a buzz? How many people on this forum have driven faster than the posted speed limit? If a person answer's "yes" to either or both questions, they have no right to judge Phelps. If you drive with a buzz, even without speeding, you put lives at risk. If you drive over the posted speed limit, you put lives at risk. Unless you are perfect, no one really has the right to judge him. If you think he has a huge ego, that is to blame on the fans for helping to bolster that ego. Let's all get off our high horses and just hope he is getting help. We can all use this as a reminder to be more careful in everything we do.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Former Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:38:42 GMT

It would put USMS in the position of undermining the sanction issued by USAS. What, we support drunk driving? Obviously, I don't speak for USMS, but I'd give that about a negative 12,000% chance of happening. MP can cool his jets for six months, and for the sake of simple human decency, as well as of the entire sport, we can thank our lucky stars there wasn't someone else coming the other way in that tunnel. Judd, The difference between Phelps and Armstrong suspension involves group doing the suspension. WADA suspended Armstrong for performance enhancing drugs. All governing bodies that follow wada rules are required to go along with the suspensions handed out. FINA follows wada recommendations, so USMS had to as well. Phelps was suspended for a DUI. He wasn't suspended by WADA for drugs. USMS could allow him to compete since the organization isn't governed by USA swimming. I doubt he would enter a usms meet though.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

smontanaro — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:05:48 GMT

If NBA & NFL did this we would all be watching golf!! Those golfers! A bunch of dopers like you've never seen. :) Has this been moved to the NSR forum? Maybe I've just pushed it over the line in that direction...

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

knelson — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:01:18 GMT

Michael is paid to represent USAS and various companies. If they don't want to be represented by someone willing to drive drunk, that is commendable. Michael seems to be readily accepting his consequences - which is about all he can do at this point. Yes, I think that's the crux of it. It would seem pretty lame for USMS to "ban" Phelps. I'm sure there are plenty of USMS members with DUIs. Have any of them been denied membership based on that? USMS isn't giving any swimmers stipends to represent the organization (as far as I know!). If NBA & NFL did this Ever heard of Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice, among others?

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

orca1946 — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:53:26 GMT

Agreed. No swimming is not related to the thing that he did wrong. If NBA & NFL did this we would all be watching golf!!

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

gobears — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:55:59 GMT

Everything correct, but there's one thing I cannot understand yet: How USA Swimming ban is related to driving law offense? If he was professional driver and he was banned to do his job that would be clear. If a surgeon got drunk in the hospital and as a penalty lost his license - that's absolutely clear, he's putting at risk patients. I would understand if they canceled Michael's driving license, charged him to pay fine or even put him into prison in case if someone suffered because of the accident - that would be absolutely fair penalty aiming the problem. IMO the penalty should be related to the crime and it should bring some sort of correction to the situation. Do you really believe that banning someone from doing his job which has nothing in common with the crime is a good way to correct that person? I consider it's the best way to put the cross on that guy.... just imagine for a moment yourself being that person. Michael is paid to represent USAS and various companies. If they don't want to be represented by someone willing to drive drunk, that is commendable. Michael seems to be readily accepting his consequences - which is about all he can do at this point.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Debugger — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:48:59 GMT

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

gobears — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:37:29 GMT

Armstrong's ego is out of control, and yes, he was an awful bully. But he didn't put his teammates or anyone else at risk. Believe me, as someone who's followed the cycling circuit for years, Armstrong didn't have to bully anyone into cheating. They didn't do it because he told them to, no matter what they might say in interviews. Doping has been a persistent scandal at every level of the sport, and Armstrong's behavior is not unusual for any of the cyclists who compete in the Tour de France. Phelps did put the lives of innocent people at risk, and he knew he did, and it wasn't the first time so I don't think it's a fair comparison. A lot of elite athletes have huge egos. It's a component of their personality that enables them to hit the elite ranks. Like politicians. Driving drunk is in a separate category altogether. No excuse. I would give Michael an ounce of grace long before Lance. At least Michael is owning up to his stupidity and not lying for years and years like Lance. I highly doubt Michael got into his car thinking about putting peoples' lives at risk. What he did was wrong, dangerous and selfish, but I don't think he's approached Lance Armstrong levels of corruption and denial just yet...

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

DeniseMW — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:21:01 GMT

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

sunruh — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:41:39 GMT

The difference is also that while Armstrong cheated, he didn't put another innocent person at risk. well, unless you count him bullying his teammates into also cheating.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

DeniseMW — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:50:36 GMT

The difference is also that while Armstrong cheated, he didn't put another innocent person at risk. Phelps did. And it wasn't the first time. He's a dork. And what kind of an athlete treats his body that way?

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Swimosaur — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:10:25 GMT

Totally different scenario as far as I'm concerned. It would put USMS in the position of undermining the sanction issued by USAS. What, we support drunk driving? Obviously, I don't speak for USMS, but I'd give that about a negative 12,000% chance of happening. MP can cool his jets for six months, and for the sake of simple human decency, as well as of the entire sport, we can thank our lucky stars there wasn't someone else coming the other way in that tunnel.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Allen Stark — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 06:56:21 GMT

I think that USAS was right to give him a 6 mo suspension.He screwed up and needs to get his life in order.If they did nothing it would be like they were condoning his behavior.I wonder if suspension from Worlds isn't to much as it is well beyond 6 mo.(I also don't think they should have chosen the team this early,but that is another story.) He checked himself into rehab.Maybe that was a publicity decision or on the advise of his attorney,but maybe he is sincere.Maybe he does have a drinking problem and is willing to work on it. If I see a patient with 2 DUIs I'm thinking "alcoholic until proved otherwise." Maybe this will be a positive turning point for him.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Glenn — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 04:17:45 GMT

No swimming is not related to the thing that he did wrong. !! I thought the exact same thing...at first. But then I read that there is a code of conduct that National team members or those like MP who are getting a stipend from USA Swimming must adhere to. That is what, I believe, they based their suspension of MP on, and based upon that, rightly so.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Gary P — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 03:15:01 GMT

Guys do get cut from the NFL for repeat DUI's. The Bronco just cut a player who had one DUI, then later tested positive for alcohol he'd drank at home.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

DeniseMW — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 02:31:21 GMT

Actually, I've never gotten behind the wheel with a "buzz", but then two glasses of wine puts me under the table. I don't drink when I have to drive. And there's a huge difference between going fast and being reckless. Drinking impairs your judgment. It just seems the height of stupidity when you have endorsements that come with being an elite athlete to put that at risk so you can drink. I can't even get hired at Wegman's so maybe I'm not one to talk. That being said, it's not like he was doing 10 mph over the speed limit. He was doing almost 40. In a tunnel. And weaving in and out of traffic. And that certainly does put innocent lives at risk, which IMHO is inexcusable. I'm all for tough DUI laws. As a reporter, I covered too many accidents that were caused by some drunk idiot behind the wheel. Phelps has done it before. He didn't learn his lesson then. Does he need help? I don't know, getting drunk and speeding doesn't necessarily make you an alcoholic. It just could be a case of arrogance. There are just some athletes who think they're invincible and maybe he's one of them. I have no opinion on whether he should be banned from USAS, but it's not uncommon for an organization whose members stand to earn big money to impose standards of behavior. It's not fair in many cases, but you know that going in.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

knelson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:42:18 GMT

Dead zero. (see Armstrong, Lance) Totally different scenario as far as I'm concerned.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Swimosaur — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 07:21:26 GMT

What are the chances Phelps swims a USMS meet while he's suspended from USA Swimming? I would guess slim, but greater than zero. Dead zero. (see Armstrong, Lance)

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

knelson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 06:35:17 GMT

What are the chances Phelps swims a USMS meet while he's suspended from USA Swimming? I would guess slim, but greater than zero.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

Jeff Commings — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 01:48:07 GMT

Hello, everyone. With regards to my appearance on CBS This Morning, I was not misquoted. Perhaps my point was not clearly made, but I intended to point out that USA Swimming's actions against Michael Phelps would be setting a precedent. In at least the past 20 years, no one has been kicked off an international team for such an offense. So, I not only thought removing Phelps from the world team would take out one of the top swimmers in the world and hurt medal chances, but it would send a very strong statement. I wasn't sure USA Swimming was prepared to set that precedent, but it appears they were.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

tjrpatt — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 09:03:18 GMT

Seriously, Phelps needs to go to rehab now.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

fatboy — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 05:53:33 GMT

Michael Phelps suspended 6 months by USA Swimming www.msn.com/.../ar-BB7TCYt USA Swimming has suspended Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps for six months for violating the organization's code of conduct. The announcement Monday comes nearly a week after Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence, and a day after he said he would enter a six-week treatment program. Phelps will be suspended from USA Swimming-sanctioned competition for six months, not eligible to compete again until April 6, 2015. He will also forfeit his funding from USA Swimming for six months, and he will withdraw from the 2015 world championship team. He will not represent the U.S. next August in Kazan, Russia -- a major tune-up meet for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

RE: Phelps comeback confirmed

tjrpatt — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 03:00:00 GMT

I sure hope JeffC was misquoted here. Saying USA-S would have a tough time keeping him (MP) off the World Championship team just because he is too hard to replace? He is not too hard to replace at this point. Tom Shields can handle the fly. There are enough fast 100 freestylers to match up against the world, who never miss their turns. They are people ready to stand up. However, they can't get the opportunity for Worlds or Olympics because some swimmers are making it their full time jobs(What else can you do when you are a mush mouth, :))