Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is defending a gift he presented to U.S Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
Mayor Dilkens gave Phelps a 750ml gold bottle of Canadian Club made in Windsor after Phelps won the FINA Male Swimmer of the Year Award.
Dilkens posted a picture of the customized label but some people criticized the gift as Phelps has struggled with alcohol in the past and had a DUI.
The gift was discussed internally in his office and researched says Dilkens and Phelps himself does not describe himself as an alcoholic.
"If Michael had described himself as an alcoholic which he does not describe himself that way than I would have said let's give him something different but the fact is that he had a DUI, he struggled at one point, you read the media online and he has overcome that," said Dilkens on AM800's The Morning Drive.
"I thought there was lots of symbolism with the fact that Canadian Club is a large employer in Windsor and it is customary to give this type of gift to dignitaries and Hiram Walker for his employees when they retired, that's what he gave them."
Dilkens says Phelps was very appreciative of the gift and said he would display it with his gold medals.
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