Phelps: 3-Month Suspension Is Fair Punishment

Shamed Olympic champ accepts USA Swimming's decision
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 7, 2009 4:59 AM CST

Michael Phelps believes a 3-month suspension from USA Swimming is a fair enough price to pay for getting caught toking up, the AP reports. "Obviously, for a mistake you should get punished," said the acclaimed Olympic gold medalist. Phelps says he has been spending a lot of time in the pool, "training for who knows what yet."

USA Swimming said the punishment was made in collaboration with Phelps, and is not meant to serve as a precedent for other swimmers. The champ's coach said the ruling was not unexpected, but he will have to change his plans around as Phelps will now have just two months of competitive swimming to prepare for July's world championships in Rome. (More Michael Phelps stories.)

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