Source: Xinhua

02-02-2009 13:23

BEIJING, Feb. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps issued an apology for his "regrettable" behavior Sunday after a photo showing him smoking a marijuana pipe was published.

Michael Phelps swims during his heat in the men's 200m butterfly  at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska in this  July 1, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"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."

Though Phelps will not face any sanction from anti-doping authorities for the apparent drug use because marijuana is only prohibited during competition, the U.S. Olympic Committee immediately released a statement chiding Phelps for failing to "fulfil his responsibilities" as a role model and describing Phelps's behavior as "disappointing."

"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."