Michael Phelps Promotes Swimming at McBurney YMCA

Michael Phelps, 14-gold medal Olympian and future SNL host, was at the McBurney YMCA earlier today to encourage swimming at a young age. He helped present a $20,000 check from Visa to the YMCA of Greater New York. The money will go to expanding its aquatic facilities in Brooklyn and Queens as well as its 2nd Grade Swim program.

Phelps said, "For America's kids, the time to play and swim is today. We need everyone's help in providing all kids with safe and well-equipped spaces where they can exercise, have fun and maybe even begin to pursue their own Olympic dreams." And on The Early Show, he said he wouldn't be training for a few months, "I haven't exercised at all since my last day of competition (over a week ago). But I think I need to start doing something. I'm getting kind of antsy just sitting around!"

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on August 28, 2008 4:04 PM

Comments [rss]

salad

can. not. understand. sentence missing too many crucial words. must ignore.

other_islander

salad,

we know can't get over the severe Fetal Alcohol Syndrome caused by you mother's habit of having Stoli and Lucy Charms for breakfast, but Phelps was 19, it happened once, he paid his dues, and it happened 4 years ago.

let. it. go.

salad

What is this? Did he have to pull another community service stint for drunk driving again?

11-4-04: NEVER FORGET

Jen S

eleanor - I'll give you $20 for those trunks!

Jen S

babyhitler - is MP the new CN?

eleanor72

My son goes to camp at this YMCA and was in the pool with MP today! We had no idea... they just said yesterday 'make sure to bring your swimsuit tomorrow for a special event.' When he said he met MP, I didn't believe him till I looked it up on Google.

Jen S

Seriously, why didn't anyone call me about this?

babyhitler

Michael Phelps doesn't drink water. Water drinks Michael Phelps.

drewo

Maybe cast Phelps in the lead for the big budget Sub-Mariner movie?

lanciano

that is fantastic. i was sick and tired of Phelps but he went back up a few notches in my book. how exciting for those kids!

Kojak

the YMCA? Im surprised he didnt drown in other people's urine.

Jen Chung

@Outter Burrougher, I appreciate you pointing out the issues. No worries (I didn't realize you were terse--you were to-the-point!).

Outter Burrougher

thanks for making the corrections; sorry for being terse, I'm cranky this afternoon.

Bottomless Chips

I am a swimmer, lifeguard, WSI, and sports fan, though I wasn't that amazed by his performance, believe it or not. Swimming events have too much cross over, when compared to say track.

However, I am a fan of him with this. This is a great thing. Anything to get more kids into an active environment is commendable.