Michael Phelps is putting his Olympic money where his mouth is.  He is using his $1 million dollar bonus (who pays that stuff, anyway) to fund a swimming foundation.  The Michael Phelps Foundation will benefit kids.

More pictures after the lap…

Actually, Speedo paid the million dollar bonus to Phelps after he won 8 gold medals this year.   He begins the educational part of his foundation with an 8 city trip, where he will speak with kids and share his experiences with the Olympics according to the Wall Street Journal.  He will provide a message of encouragement and tell kids to reach for their dreams. 

I think he is a cool guy.  Too often young people get a bad rap in the media.  Here’s one who is obviously doing good, but his message and timing was over shadowed by a hurricane, a VP candidate announcement and two political conventions.  Too bad. 

Photos: PR Photos