Saturday, November 13, 2004

Michael Phelps spreading his message

Michael Phelps visited The Boys and Girls Club to talk to them.

A beautiful article on his beautiful gesture.

Under time constrain, I apologise for only supplying the link. Its here.

Thorpe gone too far!

You're an idiot, Thorpe says of Phelps on drink-driving rap

Ian Thorpe has called Michael Phelps an idiot after the he was arrested this week for drink-driving.

'I don't know the full details but I think that anyone who drink-drives is an idiot and that was pretty stupid.'

'I am sure he is sorry for his actions."

'I just think young people in Australia are really against drink-driving, so that is what makes it a little disappointing I guess.'

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Michael Phelps' appearance

The Baltimore Sun's Health & Fitness Expo will be featuring Michael Phelps.

Details:

Dates: Saturday, November 13, 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, November 14, 11:30am-4:00pm
Venue: The Baltimore Convention Center, Hall G
Admission: Adults: $4 or for Family of Four: $8

Support Michael Phelps

Looked around in michaelphelpsonline.com and saw a wonderful fanlisting for Michael Phelps at this point of time.




Support Michael Phelps NOW!



The link is also available at the right bar.

Bowman, sponsors and supporting groups.

Sponsors:
PowerBar, Visa and other sponsors have come to Michael Phelps' defence.

2 veteran Maryland lawyers will be representing Michael Phelps on the drunken- driving charges.

"We should not forget that this 19-year-old young man has always conducted himself in an exemplary manner. He is dealing with this situation in the same responsible way in which he has always lived his life."

PowerBar spokeswoman Vanessa Wagar said she expects Phelps to continue as one of the company's sponsored athletes.

"Part of athletic sponsorship is celebrating highs with athletes as well as working through their difficult times."

Visa issued a statement saying that Phelps, who has apologized for his behavior, has represented the company and the country "with great honor and dignity."

Phelps' sponsorship agreement with AT&T Wireless, is ending this year. The contract, like all other marketing contracts for AT&T and Cingular, will be evaluated as part of the changing company.

Phelps' other endorsements include Speedo and Omega watches.

Supporting groups:
Evan McElroy, spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, issued a statement saying that the organization knows Phelps takes his "role model status" seriously.
"Boys & Girls Clubs are in the business of helping young people learn from their mistakes, accept responsibility and consequences, and ultimately become better people."

The Maryland Center for Character Education, where Michael Phelps is part of this newly formed advisory board this month, will keep him on the panel, said retired Baltimore Circuit Judge John Carroll Byrnes, the center's chairman.

Phelps' character has not changed, and his statements accepting responsibility were "in keeping with his good character."

Earlier this month, the center issued a news release singling out Phelps for praise.
"Michael Phelps is a strong role model for young citizens who can see his life of dedication to his sport, and in his personal conduct of civility, honesty and humility a personal philosophy that has brought him both world wide success and world wide respect."

The organization's Web site, however, includes a version of the news release without mentioning Phelps. His name is not listed as an advisory board member. His mother, Debbie Phelps, is listed.

More of Bowman's reaction:
"At first, I was kind of angry. I wanted to make sure he was OK. Then I got really angry. He had everything going for him. Such a lapse in judgment. I'm sorry for everyone who supported him, which is everyone. He let himself down; he let us all down."

"To the best of my knowledge, this is an isolated incident. Clearly there's a price to be paid legally. I would hope that he's going to use this and turn it into a positive so that other people can learn from his mistakes. My great hope is that he can be a stronger person and a better person and get back on track to do the things he's born to do."

"It's so out of character, that's what's so sad about it. The Michael you saw in Athens was the real Michael. That was no act. That's Michael."


Phelps visited Ann Arbor last weekend to see a Michigan football game, and he told Bowman he was "tired of not having a routine."

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

The hearing.

According to USA TODAY, Michael Phelps' hearing will probably be held before 2005 in Maryland District Court. Exact date will be released in 2 weeks' time.

So far Speedo has not made any changes with their contract with Michael Phelps. Thank God.

.::. we still love you.::.

-blood alcohol content was .08
- he drank off-campus in Salisbury
- he visited his girlfriend(NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO) and another friend there (probably the other two in the car)
- he nearly hit the cop's car (remember, he DIDN'T do it, so don't freak out over that)
this was taken from a fansite.

MICHAEL!
we hope you're safe and sound....
and that you ain't have no girlfriend. PLEASE SAY YOU don't have one...
:(




Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Michael Phelps arrested.

It seems like with fame, one can never avoid stepping into the quicksand of trouble. Michael Phelps has been arrested for drunk driving on Thursday night (4th Novemeber) at 11.30pm in Salisbury, Maryland.

Phelps had been driving with 2 passengers (unidentified, hopefully not a girlfriend!) and had failed to obey the STOP sign along Route 13 and Bateman Street and was bid to pull over by a state trooper.

The trooper "observed signs indicating the driver may be operating under the influence". Phelps was then charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired, violation of a license restriction and failure to obey a traffic control device. He signed the traffic citations and was released shortly after 1 a.m. Friday.

Police described him as "fully cooperative" during the incident. They said his 2005 Land Rover was released to a friend who had not been drinking.

Police would not say whether Phelps took a blood-alcohol test and, if he did, what his blood-alcohol level was.

Under Maryland law, the legal age for drinking is 21 and Phelps' offence is punishable by a maximum of a year in jail, a $1,000 fine and 12 points on a driver's license for a first offence. It carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail, a $500 fine and eight points for a first offense.

"I made a mistake. Getting into a car with anything to drink is wrong, dangerous and unacceptable. I'm 19, but no matter how old you are, you should take responsibility for your actions, which I will do. I'm extremely sorry for the mistake that I made."

He declined to answer further questions, including whether any of his endorsement deals are in jeopardy.

Implications
Ryan Schinman, president of the Platinum Rye Entertainment consulting firm, said the arrest is "a huge blow," even if Phelps is never convicted.

"He made a name for himself not only in the pool, but with his squeaky-clean image, which is hard for corporate America to come by these days."

Phelps' endorsements from companies as McDonald's could be jeopardized because they likely contain morality clauses. But some companies may make allowances because no one was injured.

Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp Ltd., another sports marketing and consulting firm, said that although he doesn't think Phelps' current endorsements will be affected, the arrest will "tarnish his image."

Mark Lepselter, president of New Jersey-based Maxximum Marketing, said the long-term impact will be minimal so long as Phelps doesn't have future problems.
"I don't think this is going to be a major blow to his career ... I don't think there are many people who have not made some mistake along those lines when they were 19."

Phelps' adoption of Riverview Elementary School in Halethorpe has created a unique problem for the education of youngsters about the perils of alcohol and drugs.
"It's easy for kids to look to celebrities and say, 'Everybody's doing it.'"

Bowman's words...
"When you're Michael Phelps, you don't really fit in anywhere. You don't fit in with adults just yet. You're still 19. You don't really fit in with kids your own age who are in college. It's very hard to know where you are in the scheme of things."

"Nobody should feel sorry for him because he chose his behavior that night," Bowman said. "But I hope people can stand behind him when he's down just like they stood behind him when he was on top of the world."

(President's note: My sentiments EXACTLY! Hence I've created a new poll "What do you think of Michael Phelps' arrest?" and have concluded the poll on "Do you think Michael Phelps should have withdrawn from the WSCC?". The results can be seen from the link HERE. EnJoy the next poll!")