Sports

Phelps Admits to Marijuana Use at College Party

by erichews | February 2, 2009 at 06:12 am

473 views | 32 Recommendations | 10 comments

One day after a bong-smoking photo of him surfaced in the British tabloid, News of the World, Olympic swimming phenomenon, Michael Phelps sent an apology to the world and his fans through the following press-release statement:

“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.”

While speculation quickly abounded as to whether or not the photo depicted him at all, his management allegedly offered “incentives” to the British paper so they would not publish the photo and kill the story. Investigations will likely take place as to the validity of this claim by the paper.

How this unfortunate revelation will affect Phelps’ ability to maintain his numerous endorsement deals remains to be seen. His visit to the University of South Carolina in Columbia, where the picture was allegedly taken, was ostensibly to rendezvous with a female student he had secretly been dating. Phelps’ career has always had a hard-partying edge to it, so this is certainly in keeping with what some have come to expect of the swimming sensation.

Who leaked the photo to the press is still not known.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Yuliya Talmazan

at 09:58 on February 2nd, 2009

International Olympic Committee has now officially accepted Michael Phelps's apology for his "regrettable behaviour"

The International Olympic Committee expressed confidence Monday that Michael Phelps will learn from his "inappropriate behavior" and continue to serve as a role model after a British newspaper published a photo of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

"Michael Phelps is a great Olympic champion," the IOC said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press on Monday. "He apologized for his inappropriate behavior. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity and his commitment to continue to act as a role model."

erichews

at 10:45 on February 2nd, 2009

Moonwolf and yuls.source... Thank you both for contributing your perspectives and extra coverage.

Moonwolf, in this day I'm also a little shocked he didn't just say "sorry, that's who I am", but I guess there are endorsers who don't like to see their little calf eating the weeds and he let the agents craft the 'apology' that would assuage their fears.

yuls.source... See, even the IOC didn't think it was such a big deal, but there also goes that whole sports heroes as role models issue again. Never a good idea.

Roy C

at 11:17 on February 2nd, 2009

Moonwolf, you have it exactly right. Wow, imagine that! A bong hit and you ain't Galahad anymore.

Worse, though marijuana is not a performance-enhancing drug, a snowboarder was threatened about two Winter Olympics past or so with the loss of his medal when he tested positive for marijuana. Protests by rational minded people saved the day for him, though.

Schwarzenegger bought up all 25,000 copies of the new edition of Pumping Iron when the producers didn't agree to drop the last scene where Arnold enjoys a couple of tokes on the bus, glowing about the whole thing.

Reefer madeness lives on like that damn Terminator.

CJaye

at 12:10 on February 2nd, 2009

Reefer madness so 60's, please are we at that state of mind? If this is the worst we can do so be it. So he hit off a bong! What about all the drinkers out there? Alcohol is a drug as well, nicotine too for the smokers.

kingpaddy

at 12:41 on February 2nd, 2009

Don't forget that George Obama just got locked up for alegidly having a "Joint" in his mothers house. Bill Clinton didn't inhale.

I wonder how many realize that Bil Wilson, founder of AA (Alcoholic Anonymous wrote in his autobiography that LSD showed a real cure for alcoholism. Sir Francis Crick thought of the double helix that opened the door to todays genetic research while expermenting with Aldous Leonard Huxley. There are many more who rose to greatness in this way. I don't recommend this behavior to anyone, yet, did the young man break the rules. If so. gotta pay but it is a sad day for history.

Moondog said it best.

woodpeck

at 13:24 on February 2nd, 2009

this story is SO DOPE! ;)

maria943

at 14:28 on February 2nd, 2009

@woodpeck: LOL

lefty_liberated

at 14:53 on February 2nd, 2009

This is my favorite headline about this story its from Fox: "Michael Phelps' Image Takes a Hit After Marijuana Photo Surfaces"

erichews

at 17:21 on February 2nd, 2009

Thanks to everyone for continuing the dialogue on this story. Lots to think about on the whole matter. Also, thanks to everyone who contributed links and photos. I appreciate your efforts and thoughts greatly.