Source: CCTV.com
02-03-2009 09:06
The most decorated Olympian last summer has acknowledged his bad behaviour after a photo of him smoking marijuana was published. Michael Phelps admitted on Sunday that what he did was wrong and that he seriously regrets it.
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| This Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004 file photo, Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps speaks to reporters after pleading guilty to drunk driving charges in district court in Salisbury, Md. Phelps acknowledged 'regrettable' behavior and 'bad judgment' after a photo in a British newspaper Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.(AP Photo) |
Marijuana is classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a banned "in-competition" substance, which means Phelps is unlikely to face any punishment or suspension.
"Marijuana, Phelps...Yes," this is the photograph showing Phelps smoking marijuana in a house party while he was visiting the University of South Carolina.
The winner of a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last year issued an apology on this.
He said:"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. 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. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public-it will not happen again."
WADA executive director David Howman says that an athlete is subject to WADA sanctions only for a positive test that occurs during competition periods. Thus, Phelps' main sanctions will probably in financial ways. His sponsors might reconsider their dealings with this pool prodigy. Phelps came to Beijing for a commercial promotion and revisited the water Cube in January. But just several days after that,this incident occurred. Staff from Phelps' management firm expressed that the quick apology will lead to minimal effects of the incident on his multimillion-dollar sponsorships.
