Michael Phelps

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps will make his first big public appearance today at a "Get Motivated!" seminar in Sacramento.

Phelps, who we're told will appear via satellite, will be speaking along with Steve Forbes, Colin Powell and Rudy Giuliani in a sold out event.

But CNBC has learned that Phelps was asked not to show up at three events.

A company called "Power Within" has canceled Phelps for his appearances in Calgary on March 3 and in Vancouver on March 6. We contacted the organizers — a company called "Power Within" — but they did not return messages.

Phelps has also been taken off the roster at the World Business Forum, an event that is scheduled to take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Oct. 7-8. Phelps was included on a release sent out in September, but the Web site, which lists speakers that include Jack Welch, T. Boone Pickens and George Lucas, no longer lists the swimmer's name. Event spokesperson Susan Copperman confirmed that Phelps will no longer be present at the event.

In Calgary, Phelps apparently has been replaced by actor Martin Sheen. Sheen is a reformed alcoholic, so what is so offensive about Phelps speaking? Phelps has a DUI and has smoked pot, but we have no evidence he's addicted to either.

If I were running this event, I'd keep him on the schedule. Who is more relevant than someone who was at the top of his game who has just gone through a crisis?

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Updates: The World Business Forum is actually on Oct. 6-7. Also, in an earlier post, the spelling was incorrect for George Lucas.

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