ROLE MODEL QUALIFICATIONS

Just because an athlete is a good athlete, that does not necessarily
make him or her a role model.

We've learned that lesson again with Michael Phelps, the swimmer who
won a record eight gold medals in the Olympics last year.

Phelps appeared in a photograph in a tabloid smoking marijuana. He
has had an alcohol-related arrest in the past, too. He has
apologized, but he has been suspended from competition for three
months and a sponsor, Kellogg Co., said it will not renew Phelps'
advertising contract.

A spokesman for USA Swimming, the governing body for competitive
swimming, said Phelps was disciplined because children look up to him
because he is a role model and a hero.

Yes, that's true. Many children probably do look up to
him.

But that's not what makes someone a hero or a role model, and that's
something children, and some adults, have to learn.

Of course, that doesn't excuse Phelps' behavior, and he's paying the
price in lost competition and revenue for his antics. Everyone, even
stars, have to learn that some behavior is not acceptable, and
wherever you find humans, you'll find human frailty.

When humans do good things, we should recognize the good they do.
However, let's remember to put human ideals on pedestals, not humans,
because they tend to disappoint us and themselves most of the time.