Post by gabrielleboyer on Mar 1, 2009 20:32:18 GMT -5
Michael Phelps should not have been punished for a picture of him smoking pot. You see celebrities in the tabloids everyday for doing things that would be considered illegal for anyone else. Actors and singers under 21 leaving bars, tripping over their feet, and movie stars being caught with drugs. Once an athlete and a role model to young children is brought into the picture, he is not allowed to make a mistake, slip up, or act like a normal 23-year-old kid.
Phelps received a three-month suspension from United States swimming competitions and lost endorsements, such as Kellogg’s. Canadian snowboarder, Ross Rebagliati, spoke out for Phelps after having his gold medal stripped from him after the 1998 Games. It was later returned to him because marijuana is not a banned Olympic substance. No further punishment was mentioned. If athletes such as Ross are able to return without punishment, why shouldn’t Phelps? Phelps is being abused over one picture taken months ago, instead of focusing on the fact that he holds a record of 14 Olympic gold medals. The media narrows in one mistake by Phelps. Not to mention, he was not in season or training for any competitions. Marijuana is also not a performance-enhancing drug, such as steroids.
Phelps releases a sincere apology stating, "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment, … I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.” Phelps acknowledged that with his huge social status, he was wrong by being irresponsible. I believe he was simply acting as almost every college student does, but because he is a public figure, parents and media make it seem as if he has done something unspeakable.
Other highly public figures have been caught with illegal substances without any consequences. Actors, such as Kristen Stewart, who has had massive amounts of media attention recently, had her picture taken while she was smoking pot on her front steps and it was simply a matter of tabloid entertainment. Other important public figures have been caught and released, such as Prince Harry. When Harry was 16, he admitted to “drinking heavily” and smoking pot. His only punishment was him being sent to a rehabilitation center for two hours to see where his actions could lead him. A spokesperson stated, "This is a serious matter which was resolved within the family, and is now in the past and is now closed." If a Prince is able to have his problem solved within the family, then why does the same situation containing an athlete have to be solved by boards, media, and police? Should Phelps even have been treated more harshly for being an athlete, considering he was not in season?
The only reason Phelps has been focused on so highly is because of his status. Other athletes have had their medals returned and suspensions lifted since pot is not an illegal Olympic substance or a performance enhancing drug. It seems that the only reason Phelps is receiving a punishment is because of his high public status. There is a huge difference in the punishment of Phelps and other athletes and public figures. Since Phelps is a role model to younger kids, I am sure the court took that into consideration when giving him his suspension and when endorsements were contemplating keeping him signed or dropping him. It is not fair to give someone different consequences because of whom they appeal to. Phelps did the same thing as many other celebrities who never released an apology of any kind. Consequences should be the same for everyone and if they are not, then it is not fair to punish Phelps while other people are not. Phelps made a mistake, but is still an Olympic hero and has fans that stand by him.
Phelps received a three-month suspension from United States swimming competitions and lost endorsements, such as Kellogg’s. Canadian snowboarder, Ross Rebagliati, spoke out for Phelps after having his gold medal stripped from him after the 1998 Games. It was later returned to him because marijuana is not a banned Olympic substance. No further punishment was mentioned. If athletes such as Ross are able to return without punishment, why shouldn’t Phelps? Phelps is being abused over one picture taken months ago, instead of focusing on the fact that he holds a record of 14 Olympic gold medals. The media narrows in one mistake by Phelps. Not to mention, he was not in season or training for any competitions. Marijuana is also not a performance-enhancing drug, such as steroids.
Phelps releases a sincere apology stating, "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment, … I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.” Phelps acknowledged that with his huge social status, he was wrong by being irresponsible. I believe he was simply acting as almost every college student does, but because he is a public figure, parents and media make it seem as if he has done something unspeakable.
Other highly public figures have been caught with illegal substances without any consequences. Actors, such as Kristen Stewart, who has had massive amounts of media attention recently, had her picture taken while she was smoking pot on her front steps and it was simply a matter of tabloid entertainment. Other important public figures have been caught and released, such as Prince Harry. When Harry was 16, he admitted to “drinking heavily” and smoking pot. His only punishment was him being sent to a rehabilitation center for two hours to see where his actions could lead him. A spokesperson stated, "This is a serious matter which was resolved within the family, and is now in the past and is now closed." If a Prince is able to have his problem solved within the family, then why does the same situation containing an athlete have to be solved by boards, media, and police? Should Phelps even have been treated more harshly for being an athlete, considering he was not in season?
The only reason Phelps has been focused on so highly is because of his status. Other athletes have had their medals returned and suspensions lifted since pot is not an illegal Olympic substance or a performance enhancing drug. It seems that the only reason Phelps is receiving a punishment is because of his high public status. There is a huge difference in the punishment of Phelps and other athletes and public figures. Since Phelps is a role model to younger kids, I am sure the court took that into consideration when giving him his suspension and when endorsements were contemplating keeping him signed or dropping him. It is not fair to give someone different consequences because of whom they appeal to. Phelps did the same thing as many other celebrities who never released an apology of any kind. Consequences should be the same for everyone and if they are not, then it is not fair to punish Phelps while other people are not. Phelps made a mistake, but is still an Olympic hero and has fans that stand by him.
