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Yesterday morning we saw a pretty amazing photo of 14-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps puffin’ on, by all accounts, a humongous marijuana pipe (more commonly referred to as a bong). After some speculation on the Internets by anyone with an opinion as to what damages could result from a photo like that in regards to his Olympic career (ie. what could be proven, what could not), Michael Phelps released an official statement admitting wrongdoing (while never expressly discussing specifics of that wrongdoing) which makes a solemn vow to fans that he will never transgress in such a manner ever again:

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps admitted to “regrettable” behavior Sunday and vowed it wouldn’t happen again after a British newspaper published a photograph of the swimmer smoking a marijuana pipe. “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” the record-setting American athlete said in a statement issued Sunday. “I’m 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me,” Phelps said. “For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public — it will not happen again.” Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, four years after he won six gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He has received numerous corporate endorsements totaling millions of dollars. His statement was also posted on his Facebook page, followed by comments of both support and admonishment from fans. In a separate statement, the U.S. Olympic Committee said it was “disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps.” “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 committee said. “In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities.” However, it added, “Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions. We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion.” The picture, billed as an exclusive by the tabloid News of the World, showed Phelps using a water pipe during what it said was a November party at the University of South Carolina. In 2004, Phelps was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Salisbury, Maryland. Phelps pleaded guilty and received 18 months probation in that incident, issuing an apology afterward. “Getting into a car with anything to drink is wrong. It’s dangerous and it’s unacceptable. I’m 19, but was taught that no matter how old you are, you take responsibility for actions, which I do,” Phelps told ESPN. The Olympic swimmer is one of 12 Olympic athletes that have pledged to “My Victory,” an initiative launched last year by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to keep competitive sports clean of cheating and drug use.

Honestly, this was his best course of action … to deny and play around with admittance of guilt would’ve been foolhardy, I think. And you gotta love that every time he apologizes publicly he has to remind folks of how old/young he is, as if that were enough of an excuse. He was 19 when he got arrested for drunk driving, he was 23 when he got caught using drugs. Whatever your feelings on marijuana use is (ie. whether it’s dangerous and illegal or harmless and “no big deal”), I think the fact that Phelps made a very public vow to join My Victory (which is STRICTLY anti-drug use) is what painted him into the corner. I’m bothered also by his promise that “it will never happen again”. That is the surest way to get busted in the future, should this ever happen again. Personally, marijuana use is not that big a deal to me … but considering the role model title that he took upon his self (as evident by his public endorsement of My Victory) I contend that getting busted with a bong was in very bad form. I’m sure he will not suffer any consequences from this action … but he does seem a bit tarnished, at least to me, as a result … no matter how old/young he is.

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