Michael Phelps’ six-month suspension from all USA Swimming-sanctioned competition will be completed tomorrow, allowing him to return to competition in time for the Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa.
Phelps was suspended six months and removed from the 2015 World Championships roster following a DUI arrest on September 30th, 2014. He has since been charged with a one-year suspended prison sentence and 18-months of supervised probation, meaning that if he follows the terms of the sentence, he will not serve any jail time.
Several international media outlets have rumored that a decision has been made to not reinstate Phelps to the World Championship roster in order to compete in Kazan, Russia this summer despite comments by USA Swimming Chuck Wielgus to ESPN last month.
In early March Wielgus and Phelps reportedly had preliminary discussions about his possible reinstatement to the worlds team with Wielgus saying, “It’s complicated, but there are ways in which it could happen.”
Despite Wielgus’ comments, a USA Swimming Spokesperson has denied that Phelps’ status has changed at all since the mutual decision with Phelps to remove him from the roster in late 2014, calling the recent reports that a decision had been made against reinstatement to the team “a bit misconstrued.”
With the suspension over and Phelps free to compete, he will presumably enter the pool for his first long course meet since the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships at the Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa.
Phelps’ time away from competition has not been spent idle. After a trip to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs with his NBAC teammates, Phelps swam some unofficial times in Austin a month ago that would’ve ranked among the best ever in yards, were they allowed.
Phelps did state that he would take part in the Mesa Grand Prix meet that runs April 15-18 in Arizona, though the psych sheets have not yet been released confirming his entries or event selection.
I THINK Gina’s point is that black Americans receive harsher sentences than white Americans in the US judicial system, which is true; although this is probably not the appropriate forum to launch a discussion about that topic.
I must say, I LOVE the relaxed, fun-loving attitude and sense of humor of the Australian swimming community, but I always have to turn up the volume and listen closely to understand what they’re saying! 😉
Half way in my research finds that as a % of population , whites & blacks are actually equal in their DUI /DWI. The next thing is to get the sentencing .So far only one recent dissertation (2011) dealing with South Carolina which is under academic search.
It seems strange that there is not more out there.
Still , beats me why posters here are so antagonistic when a point is raised.
can’t wait to see the greatest of all time swim in Mesa.
my guess: 100 free, 200 free, 100 fly, 200IM, 100 breast
go MP! 😀
It´s Tuesday, do you know where your headphones are?
Below is exerpt from Gina’s regarding Vic Davis character in another thread. At this point I treat her comments at best with mild amusement but mostly attempt to skim over, just a suggestion for others out there. . 🙂
“I did not say he was a bad person but he would not pass the psychological test to join the Canadian Army which is where such boys used to be sent off to ‘straighten ‘ them out .”
Btw someone should crunch the numbers & see if this comes under the White Privilege banner. Would a famous rapper/footballer be driving a range rover ( this is a crime in itself ) in the first place & if so , would they be similarly judged ?
If the rapper tested positive for recreational drugs ,would they not be sent off ,to teach others a lesson?
I don’t know ,but the current focus on disparity in drug caused incarcerations ,including 16 Presidential pardons , plus recent race aspects of LE , suggests this might not be over.
I take it your not from the US. If you were you would know that athletes and celebrities of all races tend to get a better deal when breaking the law than the average person. It’s not a race issue.
He had 2 suspensions , one civilian association & the other a suspended prison term.
Race & wedding cakes are the social issues of the day . Celebrities are yesterday.
Whaaaaaa? And again I ask, “Whaaaa?” I can’t even tell if you’re trying to upset liberals or conservatives. Work with me Gina: are you upset about white privilege? Or are you making fun of the concept and, for unknown reasons, of marriage equality?
Be clear in your offensiveness, woman!
On the contrary , I find these issues very mentally stimulating & entertaining. Once it is out there , you can’t decide that there are boundaries to a discussion or a joke.
what exactly is your point? I would like a clear, direct and concise answer please
Do you have your own tribunal in your spare time?
You never fail to disappoint. Every time I read a comment of yours I don’t even bother trying to understand what you are saying…
She seems to want to be one of the worse contributors in this forum . Useless nonsense
Bitter, table for one. Bitter? Your table is ready. Bitter, table for one.
Phelps has over 8 months of his prison sentence to serve out. That it is suspended , was on the Judges view that this was the better option for Phelps AND the State.
It is worse than a Monopoly Jail time because it will count as a conviction ,whereas in Monopoly , you are just denied money making opportunities whilst incarcerated. Once out , in true capitalism , all is forgotten.
On the up side , at least the cake thing should go off smoothly.
I never totally understand what you are writing about…..
I second that 🙂
I absolutely second that too – rediculous posts that serve no points at all . A waste of time /
So the US worlds team may not have Phelps, and US international teams for other games won’t include Clark Smith, Will Licon, Pat Ransford, to name a few who starred at the NCAA meet. US nationals could end up being the fastest meet around this summer.
If by “fastest meet” you meant local/domestic meet, yes US nationals might be fastest meet this summer.
But if it is fastest meet in the world, then it is the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, By far, no contest.