“It’s tough whenever you have to put a gymnast to sleep.”

Perhaps looking to distance himself from the controversy swirling around Carrie Prejean’s non-PC answer to a gay marriage question during the Miss USA pageant, Michael Phelps is setting the record straight.

Michael Phelps Miss California rumors started to heat up earlier this week, with Carrie Prejean’s grandmother saying the pair were dating.

Michael Phelps is denying any Miss California rumors, telling Usmagazine.com “I’m not dating anybody. I’m single. My private life stays private.”

Shawn Johnson’s stalker, Robert O’Ryan, 34, had two loaded guns in his vehicle and items at his motel room included duct tape, zip ties, a map love letters, and clippings.

In this Today show video clip, more details about Shawn Johnson’s stalker are included:

Police documents say that the man had “packed all his belongings and permanently left Florida to drive across the country because he believes [Johnson] is speaking to him personally through the television and via ESP — and he will be with her no matter what.”

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Matt Lauer has the first TV interview with Michael Phelps since that now infamous pot smoking picture made the rounds. Check out this morning’s Matt Lauer Michael Phelps Today show video clip, airing March 13.

At the height of his game, Michael Phelps made headlines when pictures of him smoking pot rocked his image… but what impact will the pot scandal have on his career?

Michael Phelps said it was “a bad mistake” and he used bad judgement.

Amanda Beard’s nude Playboy pictures were published in the magazine a year before the Beijing Games.

Amanda Beard commented, “If anyone knows public scrutiny, it’s me. When I posed for Playboy, so many officials looked down on me. Michael knows he isn’t a bad person. He made a mistake. People need to get over it. I want to cheer him on in London.”

USA Swimming released this statement about Michael Phelps’ suspension:

“USA Swimming has reprimanded Michael Phelps under its Code of Conduct by withdrawing financial support and the eligibility to compete for a period of three months effective today, Feb. 5, 2009.

This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero. Phelps has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and “has committed to earn back our trust.”

Michael Phelps released this statement about the bong photo:

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

There you have it. No more marijuana for Michael Phelps.

Nastia Liukin said of the offers, “You work so hard for this, and you’re getting so many opportunities, and now is the time to take those things because they don’t last forever. Winning the Olympics can change your life, and nothing can prepare you for that. You can go with the flow and enjoy the ride.”

Misty May-Treanor will play herself on Wizards of Waverly Place, visiting Max (Jake T. Austin) after she hears about his “mysterious ailment.” Naturally, Max gets out of gym class by using magic.

Wizards of Waverly place stars Selena Gomez.

Misty May-Treanor will next be seen on season seven of Dancing with the Stars.

Fans lined up on Saturday to snag tickets to Oprah’s Olympian athletes show – by noon, the line stretched almost six city blocks.