Phelps Suspended; Kellogg Won't Renew Deal

Says if Olympian toked in his jurisdiction, it'll be an 'easy case'

(NEWSER) - A South Carolina sheriff says he’ll charge Michael Phelps with whatever crimes he can if the Olympian smoked pot in his jurisdiction, the State reports. “This case is no different than any other,” the Richland County sheriff said yesterday. “This one might be a lot easier since we have photographs and a partial confession.” Marijuana possession is a misdemeanor, which could land Phelps a 30-day stint in jail. More»

He goes to great lengths to win, and it's the same with relaxing; embarrassment is punishment enough

(NEWSER) - Michael Phelps’ reputation shouldn't go up in smoke just because he was caught indulging in a drug an estimated 42% of Americans have tried, Sally Jenkins writes in the Washington Post. Phelps, like most great athletes, is a creature of extremes, and nobody should be surprised that when he breaks training, he really goes for it. More»

A few celebs are also in his corner

(NEWSER) - Michael Phelps’ sponsors are supportive—so far—following his bong imbroglio, AP reports. Watchmaker Omega called the whole thing a “nonissue,” and Speedo reiterated that Phelps is a “valued member of the Speedo team.” Experts say Phelps better stick to the straight and narrow—he promised the pot incident wouldn’t happen again, but he said the same thing after a 2004 drunk-driving arrest. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Phelps may be getting a little too relaxed in the swimming off-season. The British tabloid News of the World has published a photo that it says shows the Olympic king taking a hit from a bong. No word yet from the Phelps camp, but the tabloid says the swimmer offered to write a regular column for the paper and steer advertisers its way if it killed the photo. If true, it could hurt his Olympic career, not to mention his endorsements. More»

(AP) - Michael Phelps and the US 400-meter medley relay team closed the fastest meet in swimming history with an appropriate finish Sunday night in Rome—the 43rd world record. Phelps earned his fifth gold medal of a world championship that showed he's still got plenty of motivation, even after scoring a record eight golds at the Beijing Olympics. More»