2.06.2009

Phelps

It was announced yesterday that the USA Swimming federation has suspended Michael Phelps from competition for three months.

This along with the Kellogg corporation saying that they will not renew their sponsorship contract with Phelps are the latest fallout from a photo that showed the Olympic great with a marijuana pipe.

Does the punishment fit the crime?

What are you thoughts?


I will be on vacation next week, so there will not be any posts.

100th post coming on Tuesday the 17th.

4 comments:

Jillian said...

Punishment definitely fits the crime. Idolizing Phelps (as many kids/athletes/adults do)is different than idolizing a pop icon. Letting Phelps off the hook sends the wrong message to those seeking to be tremendous athletes, or to those that treat him as a role model in terms of perseverance, endurance, and ability. We all expect pop stars and movie/tv stars to screw up, and in many cases even Pro sports players. Phelps is just a different breed. I don't really think the punishment is too hard and I'm not surprised Kellogg is not picking up his endorsement next year.

Karen said...

Personally, I think it's a crock. If anything it proves that pot is NOT demotivating! Would we be ok if he'd been drunk because that's legal? There are not any bar fights or car accidents attributed to the herb, it's not addictive and as this case shows, doesn't make for a lazy lifestyle. Give the guy a break. Legalize it and tax it, it's a twofer!

Better living through chemistry.

Karen said...

Enjoy your vacation MC. Look forward to the return of the posts.

Meredith said...

John Mayer commented on this topic:
'We often have completely incongruous expectations for other people's humanity vs our own."

I couldn't agree with him more.

We need to stop idolizing, and start taking responsibility for our own actions, rather than putting the blame on popular culture figures.