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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Phelps suspended over 'pot pipe' | Phelps suspended over 'pot pipe' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The US swimmer Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months after photographs were published appearing to show him smoking cannabis. | The US swimmer Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months after photographs were published appearing to show him smoking cannabis. |
| USA Swimming, the sport's governing body in the US, said no "anti-doping rule" had been violated. | USA Swimming, the sport's governing body in the US, said no "anti-doping rule" had been violated. |
| But the federation said it wanted to send a strong message to Phelps because he had disappointed so many people. | But the federation said it wanted to send a strong message to Phelps because he had disappointed so many people. |
| Phelps won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics and has been feted as one of the world's greatest athletes. | Phelps won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics and has been feted as one of the world's greatest athletes. |
| The ban will end in time for him to prepare for the US Championships on 7 July, which act as a trial for the World Championships in Rome two weeks later. | |
| Phelps, 23, was caught on camera inhaling from a type of glass pipe which can be used for smoking cannabis. | |
| Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust USA Swimming | Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust USA Swimming |
| The photo, which appeared in Britain's News of the World newspaper, was said to have been taken at a student party last November when Phelps was on a long break from training. | The photo, which appeared in Britain's News of the World newspaper, was said to have been taken at a student party last November when Phelps was on a long break from training. |
| The Olympic star has apologised for his "regrettable behaviour", but did not say whether he had taken drugs. | The Olympic star has apologised for his "regrettable behaviour", but did not say whether he had taken drugs. |
| USA Swimming said in a statement: "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 thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero. | USA Swimming said in a statement: "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 thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero. |
| "Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust." | "Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust." |
| USA Swimming has cut off its financial support to Phelps for the same three-month period. | USA Swimming has cut off its financial support to Phelps for the same three-month period. |
| Cereal and snack firm Kellogg has also reportedly said it will not renew a sponsorship contract with Phelps, on the grounds his behaviour is "not consistent with the image of Kellogg". | Cereal and snack firm Kellogg has also reportedly said it will not renew a sponsorship contract with Phelps, on the grounds his behaviour is "not consistent with the image of Kellogg". |