Michael Phelps and a bong? Is there any truth to this?

Yeah, pass that along when you're done with it and I'll do some research with you. puff puff pass.....

Here are the closing paragraphs from FINA's statement (also on SwimNetwork site). The statement that someone is "counting on you" has helped many an errant youth. It's a bit of genius in this situation: As a citizen, Michael Phelps displayed inappropriate behaviour, but his sincere regret and the promise that such a situation will not happen again are sufficient guarantees that this great star will continue generating respect and appreciation to all fans of our sport around the globe. FINA certainly counts on Michael Phelps to highlight the next editions of the FINA World Championships and other prestigious swimming competitions in the future.

accordig to CNN, Kelloggs won't be extending their contract with Phelps.

USA Swimming Suspends Phelps posted: Feb 5th 2009 8:56:53 PM, By PAUL NEWBERRY and BETH HARRIS, COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (Feb. 5) -- Michael Phelps' day grew lousier by the hour on Thursday. First he lost a major sponsor, then he got suspended. Just days after British tabloid News of the World published this photo of Michael Phelps with a marijuana pipe, USA Swimming suspends the Olympic legend from competition for three months. The Olympic great was suspended from competition for three months by USA Swimming, the latest fallout from a photo that showed him 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 immediately. "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." Phelps won a record eight gold medals in Beijing and returned to America as one of the world's most acclaimed athletes. He made headlines of a different kind, however, 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. "Michael accepts these decisions and understands their point of view," said one of his agents, Drew Johnson. "He feels bad he let anyone down. He's also encouraged by the thousands of comments he's received from his fans and the support from his many sponsors. He intends to work hard to regain everyone's trust." Michael Phelps PhotosAP500 photos Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps walks to his vehicle after leaving the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, in Baltimore. The U.S. Olympic Committee is offering Michael Phelps a refresher course in good behavior. CEO Jim Scherr said Wednesday he'd like to have a face-to-face meeting with the star of the Beijing Olympics, and spokesman Darryl Seibel said the federation was sending Phelps a letter offering its assistance. Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, said he believes Phelps will emerge from the experience a stronger swimmer and person. "Michael's been through a lot and he's learned a lot, hopefully," Bowman told The Associated Press during a telephone interview. "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." 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. "I certainly understand USA Swimming needed to take action," Bowman said. "We will certainly abide by everything they've put down." USA Swimming provides a $1,750 monthly stipend to national team members to help defray travel and training expenses, plus performance bonuses. However, it's a small percentage of the millions Phelps makes through endorsements. 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 planned to compete in early March at a Grand Prix meet in Austin, Texas. Now, he won't be able to compete until early May, which would give him a little more than two months for some racing before July's world championships in Rome. "This is the result of a poor decision Michael made," U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Darryl Seibel said in an e-mail. "He understands there is accountability and has pledged to not repeat this in the future. We have offered our assistance to make certain he is as consistent and successful away from the pool as he is in it, and we are confident that will happen." After the suspension, Phelps would be able to compete at a May meet in Charlotte, N.C.; there's another Grand Prix competition in Santa Clara, Calif., the following month. The U.S. team for Rome will be chosen at the national championships, which begin July 7 in Indianapolis. "He's been very good in practice," Bowman said. "I think he feels good to be back in the water. Certainly, he's not in very good shape. "We're anxious to get back to a really normal routine and we have. We're moving on." Several of Phelps' Olympic teammates rallied to his defense. Among them was Dara Torres, the 41-year-old silver medalist whom Phelps jokingly referred to in Beijing as "Mom." "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?" she told the AP by telephone. "The thing I hope is that people realize Michael is still a person and not just a swimming hero." Torres said she sent Phelps a text a few days ago to extend her support. "He didn't let the USA down at the games, so we shouldn't let him down," she said. Torres doesn't expect a three-month suspension in a non-Olympic year to have much affect on Phelps' career. He intends to keep swimming through the 2012 London Games. "Knowing Michael the way I do, I guarantee you it's going to make him want to do well," Torres said. "All this is going to do is light a fire under him." Amanda Beard compared Phelps' ordeal to some of the disdain she faced after posing nude in Playboy magazine before the Beijing Games. "If anyone knows public scrutiny, it's me," the four-time Olympian said in a text message. "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." Gold medalist Ryan Lochte, who was one of Phelps' teammates and main rivals in Bejing, said: "It really is kind of harsh. It's just a picture." And even a rival agent came to Phelps' defense. "Enough is enough," said Evan Morgenstein, who represents a large number of Olympic swimmers. "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." www.fanhouse.com/.../331784

I have to say this is a pretty good move by USA Swimming. I has all the appearances of being tough so as to calm the uproar. But, it really has no teeth. It's like suspending a hockey player in the Summer. Phelps can still train, which he was planning on anyway, and get back in shape and be ready for the late Spring and Summer season. Hopefully this will put an end to it all. I also note his first eligible meet is in May here in Charlotte, sweet.

I'm a little late in reading this thread, but Hoo-Ray for Fortress for her investigative abilities. Carlos? Comments? Donna Uh. Yeah. I've commented that post plenty. Right after it, even. On the same page. Look. A clique of posters on this board picked a fight w/ me last summer. In that "discussion" they questioned my swimming abilities and talked smack about swimming. I ignored it. They also went on ratemyprofessors.com and claimed to have found me, but all they found was an engineering prof at UC Berkeley who happens to have miserable student evals. And I ignored that b/c any idiot would know that engineering classes do no delve into ethnomusicology, gender and cultural studies, which is what I do. In this thread Geek made a snide remark about my swimming again. So I didn't ignore it. The point is: if you're going to slander somebody's swimming abilities, at the very least do the minimal work and figure out who the heck you're dealing with. Yea, I think even Stud, with his british backing and attraction to football would have figured out you weren't talking about Fort. But, I do have one question, you asked them to "put-up or shut-up" so, why haven't you gonna ahead to put your times up? The times were linked. There was no need. I think that if you are going to make a challenge to someone, then why not put your's out there first. Be proud of your times. If you are faster...great...if not...great too. It wasn't about being fast, faster, slower or anything. I find that attitude counter-productive to the general good will that defines masters swimming and masters athletics overall. It's calling out geek and stud for dissing a fellow swimmer for the sake of an Innernets fight.

I only dismiss the one who believes that Soccer (originally named Association Football, and still called Football in the majority of the playing countries of the world) is REALLY REALLY popular in the USA... Than why do you dismiss me? I sure as hell don't say that soccer is "REALLY REALLY popular in the USA". I said in that thread repeatedly that soccer has a decent, underrated, undervalued following. Nuance is a ***, huh. Carlos will be heartbroken to find that the biggest prize signing for MLS has decided he can still play at a higher level and wants to do so... Jajajajajajajajajajaja!!!!!!!!!!! Oh. My. Gawd. Here's YOU... last summer: Beckham is past his peak. Though he still has some years left on the clock for marketing etc. Still in the national team picture for England. Dominating in Serie A. Moving there for athletic purposes, not image/$$. God DANG you were wrong. :D

Somebody earlier said that the thread-jack over the last few days reveals the short attention span that ppl have. I concur wholeheartedly.

To inject a serious thought: in this discussion, terms like 'role models' and 'hero' have been used variously. While I am a total swimming fan and naturally wowed by Phelp's feats, along with the attendant dedication necessary to achieve them, I think it would be much healthier to choose our heroes, not automatically from celebrity/sports figures but from within those ranks of people who transcend fear, danger, disease etc., to either save lives or achieve great social good. They are out there.

I apologize for dissing you. I mean that sincerely. 'Pology accepted. :)