Phelps hits the bong!

[Shaggy]

Swimming superstar Michael Phelps has admitted to "regrettable behaviour", after a UK newspaper published a photo of him apparently smoking cannabis.

Mr Phelps, 23, who won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last year, was pictured by the News of the World inhaling from a glass pipe.

The picture was taken in November at a party in the University of South Carolina, the newspaper said.

Mr Phelps apologised to fans and said the incident would not be repeated.

In a statement sent to the Associated Press news agency, the swimmer acknowledged the photo was authentic.

"Although it was tremendous fun and very nice, I engaged in behaviour which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," he said.

"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 that it will not happen in public again."

Michael Phelps broke seven world records in Beijing, eight American records and eight Olympic records to become the most decorated male Olympian of all time with a total of 16 medals, including 14 golds.

In January he was named the United States Olympic Committee's sportsman of the year for 2008.

[wiw]

.

[Hollowman]

"For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans that it will not happen in public again."

Ha ha ha. I'll do it, I just won't be dumb enough to be photographed again.

****, with his lung capacity that must have been some toke too.

[MrMichael]

[Shaggy]

Ha ha ha. I'll do it, I just won't be dumb enough to be photographed again.

[Reece]

The US swimmer Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months after photographs were published appearing to show him smoking cannabis.

USA Swimming, the sport's governing body in the US, said no "anti-doping rule" had been violated.

But the federation said it wanted to send a strong message to Phelps because he had disappointed so many people.

Phelps won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics and has been feted as one of the world's greatest athletes.

The ban will end in time for him to prepare for the US Championships on 7 July, which act as a trial for the World Championships in Rome two weeks later.

Phelps, 23, was caught on camera inhaling from a type of glass pipe which can be used for smoking cannabis.


Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust
USA Swimming

The photo, which appeared in Britain's News of the World newspaper, was said to have been taken at a student party last November when Phelps was on a long break from training.

The Olympic star has apologised for his "regrettable behaviour", but did not say whether he had taken drugs.

USA Swimming said in a statement: "This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated.

"But we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero.

"Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust."

USA Swimming has cut off its financial support to Phelps for the same three-month period.

Cereal and snack firm Kellogg has also reportedly said it will not renew a sponsorship contract with Phelps, on the grounds his behaviour is "not consistent with the image of Kellogg".

Swimming's governing body Fina and the International Olympic Committee have both accepted his apology.

Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, told the Baltimore Sun newspaper: "I think it sends a message to Michael, and we're certainly going to abide by it.

"He's eager to be back in training, and looking to move forward."

Phelps used an interview with his hometown newspaper on Thursday to admit that he had "clearly made a mistake", but denied that he used marijuana regularly.

"This was stupid, and I know this won't happen again," added Phelps. "It's obviously bad judgment, and it's something I'm not proud of at all."

[Shaggy]

WTF is that all about? Why has he been suspended? If anything it's going to hinder his performance, not ****ing enhance it. As they said no anti-doping rule has been violated. 'Send a message' my arse.

[royzared]

Smoke Cannabis and become a top sportsman,you know it's good for you.