Michael Phelps Research Paper Final Draft
Lukas Vessels
Miss Hoy
English 11
14 November 2012
Michael Phelps loses his Image
Michael Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympic athletes. He is very well appreciated by people all around the world for his swimming abilities. Everybody always looked up to the superstar Michael Phelps for being one of the best Olympians. When Michael was caught online in the picture smoking, his image went downhill even though he was the same superstar swimmer. Phelps didn’t let this scandal bring him down even though he was losing some major sponsors. After the scandal concerning Michael Phelps smoking marijuana, his life changed drastically, he lost his image, his followers, and some endorsements.
As a child, Michael Phelps grew up around athletics with his family, his father was an all-around athlete and was a state trooper (Michael Phelps biography). Phelps got into swimming from his older sisters and joined the local swim team. He was inspired by Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan when he saw them compete in the 1996 summer Olympics (Michael Phelps biography). Phelps made the U.S. National B Team in 1999. “At the age of fifth teen, Phelps had become the youngest male swimmer in the U.S. for 68 years” (Michael Phelps biography). At the 2008 Olympics, Phelps had won his 14th career gold medal, he set the world record for gold medals (Michael Phelps biography). Phelps was on a roll now, he was debating on retiring or not for the 2012 games. He decided against retiring and stayed with swimming, he would be back to set more world records and shock many more people. “Phelps won his 22nd medal, (18 gold) setting the world record for most wins by any Olympic athlete” (Michael Phelps biography). Nobody ever thought Michael would ever be getting any sort of trouble since he is such an immense role model to many. This is why it was such a shock to most people when they found out about Michael’s partying.
This situation blew up when the picture of Michael Phelps smoking
Miss Hoy
English 11
14 November 2012
Michael Phelps loses his Image
Michael Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympic athletes. He is very well appreciated by people all around the world for his swimming abilities. Everybody always looked up to the superstar Michael Phelps for being one of the best Olympians. When Michael was caught online in the picture smoking, his image went downhill even though he was the same superstar swimmer. Phelps didn’t let this scandal bring him down even though he was losing some major sponsors. After the scandal concerning Michael Phelps smoking marijuana, his life changed drastically, he lost his image, his followers, and some endorsements.
As a child, Michael Phelps grew up around athletics with his family, his father was an all-around athlete and was a state trooper (Michael Phelps biography). Phelps got into swimming from his older sisters and joined the local swim team. He was inspired by Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan when he saw them compete in the 1996 summer Olympics (Michael Phelps biography). Phelps made the U.S. National B Team in 1999. “At the age of fifth teen, Phelps had become the youngest male swimmer in the U.S. for 68 years” (Michael Phelps biography). At the 2008 Olympics, Phelps had won his 14th career gold medal, he set the world record for gold medals (Michael Phelps biography). Phelps was on a roll now, he was debating on retiring or not for the 2012 games. He decided against retiring and stayed with swimming, he would be back to set more world records and shock many more people. “Phelps won his 22nd medal, (18 gold) setting the world record for most wins by any Olympic athlete” (Michael Phelps biography). Nobody ever thought Michael would ever be getting any sort of trouble since he is such an immense role model to many. This is why it was such a shock to most people when they found out about Michael’s partying.
This situation blew up when the picture of Michael Phelps smoking
Cited: “Michael Phelps Marijuana Scandal.” Lawyers.com. Feb 3, 2012. Web. 4 Nov , 2012. “Michael Phelps biography.” Bio.com. 20 Oct , 2012. Web. 4 Nov, 2012. York, Bryson. Phelps Brand Takes a Hit. Inspire.9 Feb , 2009. Print. 4 Nov, 2012. Mullman, Jeremy. Advertising Age. “Superendorser Michael Phelps Caught Smoking Marijuana.” 1 Feb, 2009. Web. 4 Nov, 2012.