Olympian Phelps Acknowledges Pot Use

Calls Behavior "Regrettable" After British Tabloid Publishes Photo Of Swimmer With Bong

(AP)  Olympic great Michael Phelps acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after a photo in a British newspaper Sunday showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

In a statement to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps said in the statement released by one of his agents. "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."

News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina. During that trip, he attended one of the school's football games and received a big ovation when he was introduced to the crowd.

While the newspaper did not specifically allege that Phelps was smoking pot, it did say the pipe is generally used for that purpose and anonymously quoted a partygoer who said the Olympic champion was "out of control from the moment he got there."

The U.S. Olympic Committee said it was "disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps," who was selected the group's sportsman of the year. He also was honored as AP male athlete of the year, and his feat in Beijing - breaking Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record for most gold medals in an Olympics - was chosen as the top story of 2008.

"Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people," the USOC said in a statement. "In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities."

The party occurred nearly three months after the Olympics while Phelps was taking a long break from training, and this apparently would have no impact on the eight golds he won at Beijing. He has never tested positive for banned substances and even agreed to extra testing before the games.

Marijuana is viewed differently from performance-enhancing drugs, according to David Howman, executive director of the World Anti-Doping Agency. An athlete is subject to WADA sanctions only for a positive test that occurs during competition periods.

"We don't have any jurisdiction," Howman said. "It's not banned out of competition. It's only if you test positive in competition."

Phelps returned to the pool a couple of weeks ago to begin preparations for this summer's world championships in Rome. He plans to take part in his first post-Olympics meet in early March, a Grand Prix event in Austin, Texas.

Phelps was in Tampa, Fla., during Super Bowl week to make promotional appearances on behalf of a sponsor. But he left the city before Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, abandoning his original plan to be at Raymond James Stadium.

This isn't the first embarrassing episode for Phelps after an Olympic triumph. In 2004, a few months removed from winning six gold and two bronze medals in Athens, the swimmer was arrested on a drunken driving charge at age 19. He pleaded guilty and apologized for the mistake.

In his book "No Limits: The Will to Succeed," Phelps recounted how his first phone call was to his agent, and not his mother or coach Bob Bowman, because he knew they would yell at him.

Later, he called Bowman, who was supportive but told him, "Michael, just because you want to blow off some steam doesn't mean you can be an idiot."

Debbie Phelps, his mother, cried at the news.

"That hurt worse, maybe, than anything," Phelps wrote. "I had never seen my mother that upset."

Bowman did not immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages Sunday.

Last year, News of the World posted video on its Web site showing Max Mosley, the president of motor racing's governing body, engaging in sex acts with five prostitutes. The video was filmed by one of the women, and Mosley admitted to being a part of the scenario but sued for breach of privacy and was awarded $120,000 in damages. Another news break involved Prince Harry in 2002, smoking marijuana and drinking before the legal age of 18.

Olympic teammate Dara Torres said Phelps has become such a prominent figure that everything he does is news.

However, she said: "This in no way, shape or form diminishes anything he's done."

"It's sort of a double-edged sword," Torres told the AP on Sunday. "When you're recognizable, you're looked up to as a role model. He is recognizable and everything you do gets looked at and picked apart. I guess that's the price of winning 14 Olympic medals."

Jason Lezak, whose remarkable anchor leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay helped Phelps stay on course to break Spitz's record, said he was "saddened" to hear of the report.

"While I don't condone his conduct, I am a teammate and fan," Lezak said in a text message to the AP. "Unlike many fair-weather people, I am sticking by him. If my wife and I can help him in any way, we will. I believe he will grow from this and be better person, role model and teammate."

The USOC noted that Phelps acknowledged his mistake and apologized.

"We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion," the governing body said.

[pbutter7]

He got caught drinking and drink a couple of years ago..we said.."ah he is young..He got caught smoking weed and we say, "ah..he is young." *** are saying to our kids! It''s okay to use drugs?!?!He may be a GREAT SWIMMER, but he acts young and DUMB! I''m sure his mom is embarrassed...Way yo go PHELPS!

[mjames55]

Michael Phelps used pot. Does this mean every teen and child in America will rush to imitate Phelps%u2019s act? Doubtful. However, the fact that he is the World%u2019s Greatest Athlete does matter in this instance.

It is important for celebrities, in particular athletes to be extra cautious. Phelps is a role model. Many teens and aspiring athletes look up to Phelps. He set the standard in the pool, he must also set the standard in his life.

Perfection? Of course not, but he knows that his every act is carefully scrutinized.

It is easy to get caught up in the hype of the situation. This is not a career shattering event. This is something that Phelps will live down.

Phelps seems genuinely apologetic. I believe him when he said, %u201CI promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.%u201D This is the Phelps American%u2019s and fans around the globe love.

I am not letting him off the hook by any means. He did something stupid, but he handled it in a mature way.

If his record in the pool is any indication Phelps will, as USA swimming said, %u201CMove forward in a positive light.%u201D I am still rooting for Phelps. I look forward to what Phelps will accomplish.

[avigil2]

It was just a bit of weed... who cares!

[rrozsa-2009]

not has criminal, there are good pot smokers its the ones who make kids do it and the ones who do it around there kids and the ones who do it and rather do it then play with there kids.... my brother sold to 12 year olds and its wrong...wrong...
Posted by poohbearcole at 09:01 AM : Feb 02, 2009
===============

It is also illegal to sell cigarettes or alcohol to a 12-year old. The same laws should apply. In some states you can''t walk down the street with an open bottle of alcohol. The same could apply with grass, depending on how the state population feels and votes on it. It should not be a federal law -- it should be left up to the states.

[rrozsa-2009]

Imagine legalizing marijuana! Think how much time law enforcement officers will suddenly have to investigate real crimes. We could send dangerous people to prison for crimes of violence, instead of a bunch of drug users.

--------------------------Posted by fsw3 at 07:19 AM : Feb 02, 2009

===============

Not to mention the much-needed tax revenue coming into our government coffers, rather than into pushers'' pockets!

[lochlan-2009]

Give me a fricken break. WHO CARES!!!!

[jjp735i]

So what.................

More than half the adults born after 1950 have tried it.

[andie52]

Michael Phelps mother said he conquered his ADHD perhaps by channeling it into sports. Still it is common for people with ADHD to turn to addictive substances such as alcohol, marijuana, heroin, prescription tranquilizers, pain medication, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, cocaine and street amphetamines in attempts to soothe their restless brains and bodies. He had a DUI in 2004 and hopefully he isn%u2019t using anything now. It%u2019s all up to him and his sponsors; they may see this as a negative

[u-r-right]

I think he should sue for invasion of privacy.

Come on, the guy is young, rich and has worked hard to achieve what he has. It''s unfortuneate that someone sold this photo to the MSM and they chose to put it out there and make him out to be some low life.

I''m sure he''s learned his lesson and will be more careful about who he hangs out with and what he does in front of them.

[rrozsa-2009]

BFD. Move on to a real story, CBS.

[mytoosense]

At first I thought this guy was a Geeky jock with no life out of the pool.

I''m liking this guy more every day.

He did a great job on SNL, too.

[honestabe8]

andie: the way if happened, yes.

[toolmangler-2009]

The Media will not rest until they can destroy his career. Once they have done that, they will sit back while gloating "I knew he was no good to the core."

[andie52]

He could have bolstered his image by not only admitting it, but doing so boastfully. He did nothing wrong.
Posted by HonestAbe8 at 09:54 AM : Feb 02, 2009

"Every sponsor has something called a disrepute clause written into their contracts and I will bet a few of them will be running through the small print first thing on Monday morning. This is terrible for his image.%u201D

[barbaram99]

rEALLY ..any pres. did pot???

[cariboubarbi]

Who cares?!

[bluesfan82]

You people at CBS are clearly stunted. I''m not defending something that I''ve never done (drugs), or even Michael Phelps for doing what was so obvious. However, he NEVER admitted to using any kind of drugs. Get your facts straight people, you would think a major news source like yourself could get a simple story like this right but instead you people choose the low road and try to rub this guys name in the mud, and for what. Oh, and just so that you "smart people" know, which judging by your lack-luster journalistic abilities you don''t. That photo could for all intensive purposes be a fake. There are now TWO photos out there of him smoking out of that bong, the first has him wearing a hat (Sportscenter put that one on the air) and then the one that you guys put on with him wearing nothing on his head! You guys need to work on getting your story not only straight, but perfect. Great editing job!

[deathofusa]

Who cares?!

[honestabe8]

He could have bolstered his image by not only admitting it, but doing so boastfully. He did nothing wrong.

[displeased]

i hope he loses all of his endorsements.
Posted by zombo13

You''re just jealous...