PHELPS DEEP-SIXES VANCOUVER SPEECH

American swim star Michael Phelps will not appear in Vancouver to
deliver a motivational speech, thanks to his much-publicized marijuana use.

The event, slated for March 6 in Vancouver, is organized by
Toronto-based promoter The Power Within. "Due to the widely
publicized alleged use of marijuana by Michael Phelps, the decision
has been made to present the program without Mr. Phelps's
participation," Power Within said in a statement.

Calls to the company were not returned.

Phelps's appearance in Calgary has also been cancelled. He has been
removed from the company's website for the Vancouver event, which is
headlined by Oprah Winfrey regular Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Phelps apologized for his behaviour after he was photographed at a
party in November using pot. He was subsequently suspended for three
months by USA Swimming and has lost his endorsement deal with Kellogg Co.

Canadian swimmer Erica Morningstar is disappointed she won't get a
chance to hear his speech. "It's too bad he's not coming to Calgary,"
said Morningstar, a 19-year-old Calgarian, who is a medal hopeful for
the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. "He's one of the world's greatest
athletes and I think it would've been interesting to hear what he has
to say." Meanwhile, Gayle Hallgren-Rezac, a B.C. author and
entrepreneur who is speaking at the Vancouver event, wasn't surprised
Phelps had been dropped.

"I'm not very impressed with Michael Phelps's behaviour," she said.
"I think he made a mistake, and because we live in North America we
have second chances. He's a young guy, he's going to do OK." Phelps
will not be charged.