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After being caught driving under the influence,people are asking,how many DUIs does Michael Phelps have?The question is should the book be thrown at him or does he deserve a let off bearing he has done so much to uplift the name of his country the United States of
America?Should National heroes be giving grace for offences for bring pride,glory and joy to millions and bringing honor to their country or all these should count for nothing once you get on the other side of the law?
I ask this question because a lot of people are calling for Phelps head since being arrested.They say this is his second offence and should be banned for a long time.He deserves no grace or mercy.But Michael Phelps didn't get no grace or mercy the first time did he?Phelps was banned for 3 months.
I even read somewhere that,USA Swimming, in concert with the U.S. Olympic Committee, should be telling the 29-year-old Phelps, who has built a multi million-dollar career out of being a role model to children and young adults, that because of his unconscionable behavior, it is entirely possible he has swum in his last sanctioned meet.
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But is this really the way to go?Phelps two offences in 10 years surely ain't that bad is it? Wouldn't it be better if what we are preaching is showing the young ones and the fans that,even the super stars are human?That just like us ,they have faults and deficiencies too?If a man like Michael Phelps who seems to have it all can succumb to DUI,surely it tells us we are not alone in struggles in life.Don't get me wrong,i'm not condoning DUI or anything like that,but surely we can show some tolerance can't we?
Mention was also made of the suspension Michael Phelps got regarding that photo.But he served his time for that photo didn't he?Is anyone really snow white?
I bet if everyone of us were followed or scrutinized for months,there will be a lot worse coming out.
A lot of people will say Michael Phelps or any celebrity should be treated like anyone else,cos they're like anyone else,but lets not deceive ourselves.They are not like anyone else,are they?
Yea we pay tax like they do,but they pay 1000 times more than we pay,they have brought joy,pride and entertainment to millions of us,surely that should give them grace to get more time off than a normal Mr Joe on the street should right?
USA Swimming's executive director Chuck Wielgus said his organization is addressing the issue now.
"Michael's contributions to the sport are countless," Wielgus said in an e-mail Wednesday evening. "However, we have to look at this through an objective lens as his actions were irresponsible, reckless and not what we would expect from our National Team athletes. We are considering all possible options and our due diligence takes time."
I think it is very unfair to get euphoric through the talents of Michael Phelps,to celebrate,cheer and bask in the glory he brings when he wins for the country,then quickly call for his head and banishment cos he proves to be human and falls off the pedestal we place him highly on.
Some are even calling for Michael to be banned from swimming for a year or to miss the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic games! Common,easy now tiger..he hasn't gone out to attack or kill someone.Have we stopped and thought for a second why Phelps was DUI in the first place?The man might have been troubled by something so deep,Phelps Drinking and driving so early in the morning suggests something deeper is going on there..but that's for another time and place.
Here's a quote from USA TODAY- Phelps clearly should be focusing on his legal and personal troubles. He should not represent his country in any manner, not after what he did. Early Tuesday morning, Michael Phelps was arrested on DUI charges after allegedly going 84 mph in a 45-mph zone while illegally changing lanes inside a Baltimore tunnel.
This was an act of horrid judgment, stunning immaturity and utter lack of control. He is lucky he didn't kill himself, a family, a father, a mother, a child.
Zero tolerance is a term we're hearing a lot these days in the NFL on another subject. We should be hearing it today from USA Swimming as well. It is a privilege, not a right, to represent your nation as an athlete. Phelps just gave up that privilege..
Yea i agree with most of what was said here,but i don't agree with tossing ,Michael Phelps asides.Is it possible for any man not to have a blemish?You are now saying that a man who has sweat blood and guts for his country should be tossed aside cos he is not perfect.That i don't agree with.We should be looking at a way of helping Michael Phelps after his DUI mishap,not toss aside,kick him when he is down and call for the next perfect American Superstar!