Phelps handed three month ban

USA Swimming have announced they have suspended Michael Phelps for three months after the publication of a picture apparently showing him using illegal drugs.

The 23-year-old, who won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last year, issued a public apology after the News of the World published a photo of him inhaling from the type of glass pipe used to smoke cannabis.

While backed by the International Olympic Committee and the world governing body FINA, the American equivalent have opted to ban him for three months from February 5.

A statement on their website, www.usaswimming.org, read: “USA Swimming has reprimanded Michael Phelps under its Code of Conduct by withdrawing financial support and the eligibility to compete for a period of three months effective today, Feb. 5, 2009.

“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 hundreds of 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.”

According to reports in the United States, Phelps has also been dropped by sponsor Kellogg's although other major companies such as Speedo, Visa and Omega have stood by the swimmer.

It has been a miserable few days for Phelps who has found himself under scrutiny for all the wrong reasons in contrast to the awe he generated for his record-breaking performances in Beijing.

While receiving a lot of support from sporting bodies, the Baltimore athlete found himself the subject of criticism from the United States Olympic Committee on Wednesday.

Chief executive Jim Scherr admitted he feared Phelps may commit another error in judgement and planned to speak to the swimmer “about whether or not there may be a recurrence or whether or not this is a pattern of behaviour.”

This referred to Phelps’ previous misdemeanour when he was given probation for drink-driving in 2004.

Phelps himself added yesterday that he was unsure whether he would compete at the London Games in 2012.