Phelps apologises for marijuana snap in tabloid

OLYMPIC swimmer Michael Phelps embarrassed himself again after a triumphant summer , this time getting his picture snapped as he inhaled from a marijuana pipe.

The photograph wound up in a British tabloid on Sunday, forcing Phelps to publicly apologise and his handlers to deal with his sponsors.

In a statement released by one his agents, Phelps said: “I engaged in behaviour 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.”

It’s not the first time he has made the headlines for the wrong reasons. After the 2004 Athens Games, an underage Phelps was arrested for drunken driving. He pleaded guilty and apologised to his fans, saying he wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

This incident could have the same damaging impact on Phelps’s image and reputation, which were riding high after he won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing games.

“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 US Olympic Committee said in a statement. “In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfil those responsibilities.”

The News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina. During that trip, he attended one of the school’s football games and received a big ovation when introduced to the crowd.

Phelps and his advisers did not dispute the authenticity of the photo.

The party occurred nearly three months after the Olympics while Phelps was taking a long break from training, and his actions should have no impact on the eight gold medals he won at Beijing. He has never tested positive for banned substances, and this case doesn’t fall under any doping rules.

Phelps’s main sanctions most likely will be financial — perhaps doled out by embarrassed sponsors who could reconsider their dealings with a swimmer who hopes to earn $100 million (€78m) in endorsements.

Phelps was in Florida during Super Bowl week to make promotional appearances on behalf of a sponsor. But he left the city before Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, abandoning his original plan to be at Raymond James Stadium.

USA Swimming said its Olympic champions are “looked up to by people of all ages, especially young athletes who have their own aspirations and dreams”.

“That said,” the governing body added in a statement, “we realise that none among us is perfect. We hope that Michael can learn from this incident and move forward in a positive way.”