Michael Phelps: A Killer at large?

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Michael Phelps: A killer at large?
2:49 AM, August 22, 2008

Michael Phelps poses for McDonald's. BEIJING -- Michael Phelps' endorsements of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal and McDonald's has attracted criticism from the Children's International Obesity Foundation.

In a statement Friday, the foundation said: "As a role model and Olympic hero to America's children, Michael Phelps -- and all athletes and celebrities -- are asked to reconsider any connection to substances suspected as agents of obesity, including sugary cereals, soft drinks and other foods with refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, trans fats and high fructose corn syrup.''

The statement referred to the documentary, "Killer at Large,'' about the causes of obesity in children, which will be released in November in New York.

One of its producers, Bryan Young, said in the statement: "Michael Phelps' endorsement will undoubtedly influence more children to nag their parents for products that endanger their health so that they can go home, consume these products and gain weight instead of becoming gold medalists. This is unconscionable and we hope that Michael Phelps reconsiders his endorsement contracts.''

Whatever happened to being on the cover of the Wheaties box?

-- Randy Harvey

Photo: Michael Phelps inside a McDonald's on the Olympic Green. Credit: McDonald's