Michael Phelps Suspended

Michael Phelps' day grew lousier by the hour on Thursday. First he lost a major sponsor, then he got suspended. 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.

This is only slightly more embarrassing than Phelps' other punishment, today's loss of a cereal deal that expired this month anyway, for Corn Flakes, which Phelps doesn't even eat.

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."
With $100 million in expected lifetime endorsements, we're guessing Phelps isn't living on USA Swimming's stipends. But the suspension will not help his image, given the message it sends:

"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 federation said in a statement.

Subway was reported to be on the fence about Phelps following the bong incident; maybe the suspension will push the sandwich-seller to sever ties. Pot smokers aren't known for their love of petit, low-calorie processed-turkey sandwiches anyway.

On the other hand, USA Swimming can't be that mad at the Olympic champion. His suspension will end just in time to let Phelps participate in the 2009 World Swimming World Swimming Championships in Rome, broadcast on NBC for the first time this year, thanks to Phelps. He'll be fine.

Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, said he believes Phelps will emerge from the experience a stronger swimmer and person.