14 DAY TRIAL // Over the weekend, America’s favorite sportsman at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, swimmer Michael Phelps, was exposed by the News of the World tabloid as an occasional marijuana smoker. Next to a picture of Phelps smoking pot was also a lengthy account of what went down one November night, when regular people got to party with the champ. Just a few hours ago, Phelps has apologized for the scandal.
In a press statement for The Associated Press, the 8-time gold medal winner apologizes to his fans and all those who have supported him all along, saying the photo captured a moment when he acted his own age and forgot his responsibilities. At the same time, the champion, who was a genuine sensation at the Beijing Olympics and won over the hearts of millions of Americans, says that he can promise he will never let his fans down again.
“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. 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.” Phelps points out in the statement.
Oppositely, News of the World, the publication that broke the story and supplied the damaging photo, somehow predicts that, because of this, Phelps’ career may be in danger of coming to an abrupt end. This is all the more likely, it is said, since the photo clearly shows that this was not the first time that Michael Phelps smoked pot, as also several eyewitnesses present at the part, and with whom the tab got to speak before running the story, claim.
“He didn’t know many people so you’d think he’d be a little shy. But he was loud, obnoxious and slamming beers from the get-go. Every girl wanted a piece of him and every guy wanted to be his best buddy. He couldn’t get enough of all the attention. You could tell Michael had smoked before. He grabbed the bong and a lighter and knew exactly what to do. He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool. He was the gold medal winner of bong hits. Michael ended up getting a little paranoid, though, because before too long he looked like he was nervous and ran out of the place.” one source reveals for News of the World.