14-times Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps caught with cannabis pipe

**Splash Log** · 01-31-2009, 05:21 PM

THIS is the astonishing picture which could destroy the career of the greatest competitor in Olympic history.

In our exclusive photo Michael Phelps, who won a record EIGHT gold medals for swimming at the Beijing games last summer, draws from a bong.

The glass pipes are generally used to smoke cannabis.

And after sporting chiefs announced laws which mean four-year bans for drug-taking, Phelps’ dreams of adding to his overall 14 gold medal tally at the 2012 games in London could already be OVER.

Those dreams seemed the last thing on his mind when he puffed from the bong during two days of partying with students last November, a quiet time in the swimming calendar when athletes would not expect to get tested for drugs.

One party-goer who witnessed the star’s behaviour told the News of the World: “He was out of control from the moment he got there.

“If he continues to party like that I’d be amazed if he ever won any more medals again.”

Phelps’ aides went into a panic over our story and offered us a raft of extraordinary incentives not to run the bong picture.

It was on November 6, weeks after his Beijing triumph, that 23-year-old Phelps surprised students at the University Of South Carolina in Columbia by showing up unannounced at a house party.

He was visiting Jordan Matthews, a girl he was secretly seeing who was a student there.

Our source revealed: “Michael came to visit Jordan but ended up just getting wasted every night.

“He arrived with a group of girls hanging all over him. Jaws hit the floor when he walked in. You don’t get many celebrities in Columbia, so when Phelps comes to your party it’s a very big deal.
Obnoxious

“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.”

As he basked in his hero status, Phelps knocked back beers and shots of spirits. And when a student offered him the glass bong engraved with red writing, he did not hesitate, says our source.

The 6ft 4ins athlete, in a white T-shirt and navy cap worn back to front, clasped the device in his huge hands and inhaled deeply.

Our source said: “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.”

But the next night, Phelps was out partying again. The source added: “He was right back at it at Pavlov’s bar.

“Like the night before he was holding court, throwing back shots two at a time and pouring drinks to every cute girl.”

Drink has got Phelps into trouble before. In 2004, aged 19, he got 18 months probation for driving while under the influence.

His wild behaviour is in stark contrast to the grim regime which took him to the top of his sport.

He once described his life, saying: “All you do is eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim.”

Last night Phelps’ management team and the sporting world closed ranks over the scandal.
Taint

The US Olympics Committee, who have pledged to clamp down on drug use, refused to comment, as did USA Swimming and Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman.

More surprising still was the World Anti-Doping Agency’s refusal to comment, given that they introduced the four-year ban on sport’s drug users.

Phelps, who earned £4million last year in endorsements, has resumed training for the 2012 games.

But there were fears about his commitment when, weeks after the bong incident, he began dating former stripper Caroline Pal.

Phelps is represented by marketing giant Octagon, which works with huge brands such as Mastercard and HSBC. They admitted proven cannabis use would be “a major taint” on Phelps’ character.

Spokesman Clifford Bloxham offered us an extraordinary deal not to publish our story, saying Phelps would become our columnist for three years, host events and get his sponsors to advertise with us.

In return, he asked that we kill Phelps’ bong picture. Bloxham said: “It’s seeing if something potentially very negative for Michael could turn into something very positive for the News of the World.”

He stressed that the swimmer had taken 1,500 drug tests and never failed one.

Until now?

14-times Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps caught with bong cannabis pipe | News | News Of The World

**KentDog** · 01-31-2009, 05:57 PM

Good to see he is a human being who can act his age every once in a while.

I hope he does not get banned from the 2012 Olympics for this.

**Fetusaurus Rex** · 01-31-2009, 06:32 PM

Phelps selected USOC sportsman of the year - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports

Phelps selected USOC sportsman of the year

Jan 22, 1:17 pm EST

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Buzz up! 12 votes
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP)—Another award for Michael Phelps: The record-setting swimmer was chosen the U.S. Olympic Committee’s sportsman of the year on Thursday.

All-around gymnastics champion Nastia Liukin and swimmer Natalie Coughlin, who won six medals in Beijing, tied in voting for sportswoman of the year.

Erin Popovich was selected paralympian of the year and the U.S. men’s volleyball team, which won a gold medal in the aftermath of the attack and killing of coach Hugh McCutcheon’s father-in-law, was team of the year.

Todd Bachman was killed while sightseeing at the 13th-century Drum Tower in Beijing the day after opening ceremonies. The assailant jumped to his death from the tower.

“As a team, we sat down after what happened to Hugh and his family, decided we were going to push as hard as we could,” said volleyball player Riley Salmon. “At the time, we didn’t know what that meant. We knew we could be good. We didn’t know how good we could be. We got hot at the right time.”

Phelps broke Mark Spitz’s record by winning eight gold medals in Beijing. He has won a slew of awards since, including The Associated Press male athlete of the year and the Sports Illustrated sportsman of the year.

He was traveling and not available for the USOC conference call.

Liukin said she is back in the gym, training five to six hours a day. She will head to the U.S. team training camp next week. Liukin plans a comeback this year and may defend her Olympic title in 2012.

“People say, ‘Why keep going?”’ she said. “I love competing and enjoy the sport. That overpowers the questions of putting my title up there. I haven’t made a 100 percent commitment (to return) but I’m making the commitment to myself to get in shape and compete.”

**KelJu** · 01-31-2009, 06:36 PM

All I have to say here is fuck all the haters. I am not a Phelps fan, but I respect greatness. Leave him the fuck alone.

If he wants to kick back and take a bong rip, then let him.

As far as drug testing goes, it is very easy to beat test, especially recreational drugs.

**I Are Baboon** · 01-31-2009, 07:02 PM

Who the fuck gives a hobbit fart. Phelps kicks ass.

**Big Smoothy** · 01-31-2009, 07:12 PM

Who cares if he is smoking marijuana. That's his business.

He's probably not competing right now.

I don't smoke pot, but I don't see anything wrong with it.

**629RWHPstang** · 01-31-2009, 07:15 PM

like pot is a big deal lol booze is 100 times worse

**brogers** · 01-31-2009, 08:12 PM

"I didn't inhale!"

worked for Clinton...

**lnvanry** · 01-31-2009, 09:43 PM

He is real smoker too...thats a Roor pipe.

no non sense

**Mr. CAS** · 01-31-2009, 09:49 PM

Did he leave a recipe for flavored weed?

that would be nice

**maniclion** · 01-31-2009, 09:56 PM

It's only a performance enhancing drug if it can be proven that it makes him believe he's a fish!!! I've smoked lots of weed and never thought I was a fish, I was once a marshmallow and a cumulonimbus cloud, but never a fish after paka...-.- I swam through our troposphere without ever leaving the ground when I ate some Psilocyberian Space Salsa thats when I learned that we are fish in a fishbowl and lightning and thunder are when our owner taps on the glass.....

**maniclion** · 01-31-2009, 10:26 PM

Besides all he has to say is it was Salvia D. it's not even an illegal substance and probably not on the disqual. drugs list.....

**RasPlasch** · 02-01-2009, 12:00 AM

Haha this is awesome. I bet he can take huge hits with the lungs he has.

**FishOrCutBait** · 02-01-2009, 12:32 AM

"I was smoking tobacco.

Prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I wasnt, and if your evidence wouldnt stand up in court, then it doesnt mean anything."

readysetgo

thats all youd have to say

**squanto** · 02-02-2009, 09:30 AM

"I'm Phelps, bitches. GTFO."

**soxmuscle** · 02-02-2009, 10:50 AM

I like him more now.

I always thought he was a tool.

**Vernon Brown** · 02-02-2009, 10:58 AM

He deserves a toke for all those medals

**Doublebase** · 02-02-2009, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by RasPlasch

Haha this is awesome. I bet he can take huge hits with the lungs he has.

Lawl.

**min0 lee** · 02-02-2009, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Vernon Brown

He deserves a toke for all those medals

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**Doublebase** · 02-02-2009, 11:49 AM

This will probably hurt his career. I wonder if he will lose endorsements over this. If he were an NFL player I would say "hey, no big deal". But an olympic athlete. I dunno. Pretty stupid IMO.

**PreMier** · 02-02-2009, 01:53 PM

he releases a statement yesterday

**Doublebase** · 02-02-2009, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by PreMier

he releases a statement yesterday

past tense, or present?

**min0 lee** · 02-02-2009, 03:28 PM

**PreMier** · 02-02-2009, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by Doublebase

past tense, or present?

**UPDATED February 1st, 1:30PM*** Michael Phelps has acknowledged that the photo showing him smoking marijuana from a bong is real. He released this statement:

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.

**min0 lee** · 02-02-2009, 04:42 PM

I accept his apology, no one is perfect.

Now stay out of trouble.

**maniclion** · 02-02-2009, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

I accept his apology, no one is perfect.

Now stay out of trouble.

I accept his apology, no one is perfect.Except for me....

Now pass the doobie on the left hand side!!!

**Doublebase** · 02-02-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by maniclion

I accept his apology, no one is perfect.Except for me....

Now pass the doobie on the left hand side!!!

Pass to the right, be polite!

**RasPlasch** · 02-02-2009, 09:06 PM

What I believe Phelps should've said....

A Letter I’d Like To See (But Won’t)
Sunday, February 1st, 2009
Dear America,

I take it back. I don’t apologize.

Because you know what? It’s none of your goddamned business. I work my ass off 10 months per year. It’s that hard work that gave you all those gooey feelings of patriotism last summer. If during my brief window of down time I want to relax, enjoy myself, and partake of a substance that’s a hell of a lot less bad for me than alcohol, tobacco, or, frankly, most of the prescription drugs most of you are taking, well, you can spare me the lecture.

I put myself through hell. I make my body do things nature never really intended us to endure. All world-class athletes do. We do it because you love to watch us push ourselves as far as we can possibly go. Some of us get hurt. Sometimes permanently. You’re watching the Super Bowl tonight. You’re watching 300 pound men smash each while running at full speed, in full pads. You know what the average life expectancy of an NFL player is? Fifty-five. That’s about 20 years shorter than your average non-NFL player. Yet you watch. And cheer. And you jump up spill your beer when a linebacker lays out a wide receiver on a crossing route across the middle. The harder he gets hit, the louder and more enthusiastically you scream.

Yet you all get bent out of shape when Ricky Williams, or I, or Josh Howard smoke a little dope to relax. Why? Because the idiots you’ve elected to make your laws have have without a shred of evidence beat it into your head that smoking marijuana is something akin to drinking antifreeze, and done only by dirty hippies and sex offenders.

You’ll have to pardon my cynicism. But I call bullshit. You don’t give a damn about my health. You just get a voyeuristic thrill from watching an elite athlete fall from grace–all the better if you get to exercise a little moral righteousness in the process. And it’s hypocritical righteousness at that, given that 40 percent of you have tried pot at least once in your lives.

Here’s a crazy thought: If I can smoke a little dope and go on to win 14 Olympic gold medals, maybe pot smokers aren’t doomed to lives of couch surfing and video games, as our moronic government would have us believe. In fact, the list of successful pot smokers includes not just world class athletes like me, Howard, Williams, and others, it includes Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, the last three U.S. presidents, several Supreme Court justices, and luminaries and success stories from all sectors of business and the arts, sciences, and humanities.

So go ahead. Ban me from the next Olympics. Yank my endorsement deals. Stick your collective noses in the air and get all indignant on me. While you’re at it, keep arresting cancer and AIDS patients who dare to smoke the stuff because it deadens their pain, or enables them to eat. Keep sending in goon squads to kick down doors and shoot little old ladies, maim innocent toddlers, handcuff elderly post-polio patients to their beds at gunpoint, and slaughter the family pet.

Tell you what. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll apologize for smoking pot when every politician who ever did drugs and then voted to uphold or strengthen the drug laws marches his ass off to the nearest federal prison to serve out the sentence he wants to impose on everyone else for committing the same crimes he committed. I’ll apologize when the sons, daughters, and nephews of powerful politicians who get caught possessing or dealing drugs in the frat house or prep school get the same treatment as the no-name, probably black kid caught on the corner or the front stoop doing the same thing.

Until then, I for one will have none of it. I smoked pot. I liked it. I’ll probably do it again. I refuse to apologize for it, because by apologizing I help perpetuate this stupid lie, this idea that what someone puts into his own body on his own time is any of the government’s damned business. Or any of yours. I’m not going to bend over and allow myself to be propaganda for this wasteful, ridiculous, immoral war.

Go ahead and tear me down if you like. But let’s see you rationalize in your next lame ONDCP commercial how the greatest motherfucking swimmer the world has ever seen . . . is also a proud pot smoker.

Yours,

Michael Phelps

**Fetusaurus Rex** · 02-04-2009, 05:53 AM

Phelps could face criminal charges: report - Yahoo! News

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) – Record-breaking Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps could face criminal charges following the publication of a photograph purportedly showing him smoking marijuana, The State newspaper of Columbia, South Carolina reported Tuesday.

A South Carolina law enforcement official said he would charge Phelps if he could prove the U.S. Olympian smoked marijuana in his county.

"This case is no different than any other case," Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told The State.

Lott's comments come after a British newspaper published a photograph purportedly showing Phelps smoking marijuana at a party being held by students at the University of South Carolina in Columbia in November.

Columbia, the South Carolina state capital, is located in Richland County.

"This one might be a lot easier since we have photographs of someone using drugs and a partial confession. It's a relatively easy case once we can determine where the crime occurred."

Phelps apologized Sunday after publication of the photograph by the News of the World, calling his behavior "inappropriate."

Both the University of South Carolina and Columbia police departments have said they would not pursue charges against Phelps, The State said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it accepted his apology and U.S. officials said the news was disappointing but stressed that smoking marijuana out of competition was not an anti-doping matter.

Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor in South Carolina, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $570 fine, plus court costs, The State reported.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

**PainandGain** · 02-04-2009, 09:38 AM

This is fucking ridiculous. They are going to make him a scapegoat if they get the chance.

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