Aug 19, 2008 6:33 pm US/Eastern
Rumors Abound On Phelps' Plan For Swimming Club
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
-
-
Will Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps open up an Olympic training center in Baltimore? That's the rumor running rampant in Mount Washington.
AP
Will Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps open up an Olympic training center in Baltimore? That's the rumor running rampant in Mount Washington.
Derek Valcourt separates fact from fiction.
Phelps, in part, contributed to some of these rumors when he told a network announcer he and his coach bought a swimming pool in Baltimore. But managers at Meadowbrook where Phelps trained as a child say no one bought this facility--yet.
Michael Phelps says he's coming back to Baltimore. He's following his coach, Bob Bowman, who announced that after the Olympics he would become the CEO of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, which operates out of Meadowbrook. Rumors are swirling that Phelps is buying Meadowbrook after he said in an interview that he and his coach bought a Baltimore pool.
John Cadigan, general manager of Meadowbrook Swim Club, denies the rumors that Phelps bought their building, saying, "We want to assure our members that there has not been a sale. That information is inaccurate. There have been very preliminary talks, but nothing even close to a sale."
Meanwhile, next door to Meadowbrook, rumors are running rampant that Michael Phelps bought the Northwest Ice Rink after rink owners announced the facility was shutting down Aug. 31.
"Apparently this whole area is going to be a swimming training center, or at least that's what we're hearing," said skater Noreen Raza.
"I'm angry and I'm very upset. I went from not being able to tell anyone to telling everyone how upset I am," said coach Lisa Lalor.
Coaches like Lalor say news of the closure has been devastating to coaches and kids at the club, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
"I know that it's not the best rink in the world. It's old, but we have memories here," said skater Grace Chandler.
"This is the first place I ever skated and to know that it's going to close, and I'm never going to be able to come here...it's hard," said skater Daniel Hack.
Without any official confirmation, only time will tell if Phelps will soon be the owner of any of the Mount Washington buildings.
Managers of the skating rink could not be reached for comment.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jewish Celebrities
Don & Marty Talk One-On-One With Michael Phelps 
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
