Posted on 02/03/2009 4:19:16 PM PST by Wolfie
Key sponsors Speedo, Omega back Michael Phelps after apology for marijuana pipe photo
Two of Michael Phelps' leading sponsors expressed support for the Olympic great Monday, a day after he apologized for being photographed in a British newspaper inhaling from a marijuana pipe. Luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega termed Phelps' actions a private matter and "nonissue." Swim wear manufacturer Speedo called the 23-year-old American a "valued member of the Speedo team."
Phelps acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after the photo appeared Sunday in the tabloid News of the World.
Speedo gave Phelps a $1 million bonus for his record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. Phelps joined Speedo in 2001, a year after making his Olympic debut in Sydney. He dominated the Beijing Games in the company's high-tech LZR Racer suit.
"In light of Michael Phelps' statement yesterday, Speedo would like to make it clear that it does not condone such behavior and we know that Michael truly regrets his actions," Speedo, which is based in Nottingham, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Related links PHELPS Photo "Michael Phelps is a valued member of the Speedo team and a great champion. We will do all that we can to support him and his family."
Omega said it was "strongly committed" to its relationship with Phelps, calling his Beijing accomplishments "among the defining sporting achievements in the history of sport."
"The current story in the press involves Michael Phelps' private life and is, as far as Omega is concerned, a nonissue," the company said.
The News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina. Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, an athlete is subject to sanctions only for a positive test during competition periods.
"Michael Phelps is a great Olympic champion," the International Olympic Committee said in a statement to the AP. "He apologized for his inappropriate behavior. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity and his commitment to continue to act as a role model."
This story sure has generated a buzz.
I am so tired of the “it hasn’t hurt me” attitude. How do you KNOW it hasn’t hurt you? Does every one of your friends agree? Does your family? The trouble with any drug that removes a part of your self from reality is that IT REMOVES A PART OF YOUR SELF FROM REALITY.
Don’t give me any bu!!$h1t examples about people who function while enjoying an occasional reefer. I agree 100% with people who call dope a gateway drug....it is a gateway to wrecked marriages, irresponsible parenting, and worthless citizenry. I bet Captain Sully doesn’t smoke dope!
I was too and the first and only time I smoked dope (before I entered the Army) was when I took a trip to Lansing with a couple of my high school swim team mates to play water polo at Michigan State.........That turned out to be a real joke....LOL!
I'd venture to guess that you have not tried Founders Brewing's products from your state, or you wouldn't be picking on us drinkers!
I think Phelp's sponsors only signed contracts with him because they wanted the youth appeal. A guy who's in middle age like me is not much influenced by endorsements, anyway.
They're smart enough to know that if they dumped him over this, they would lose a lot of credibility with the younger folks they expect to attract by having signed Phelps in the first place.
[B]GOOD![/B]
You're lucky: In Miami, it's cocaine.
:(
Personally, I do not care if he smokes or not, I would hate to see him fall. I do not know what kind of education he received but I think swimming has been his life and is his future.
Bayer aspirin but I only heard that from another drug crazed druggie.........so its not a reliable source.
You're absolutely right! The only logical solution is to strip away all his olympic medals, force him to refund all his endorsement monies then revoke his swimming scholarship to U of M............
That should teach that drug crazed kid a lesson or two and make your world even more perfect..........
You "compassionate" conservatives live in a tough neighborhood.............
I'd give you a list of names but I doubt you would recognize any of them.........
Just curious, how did you feel the first time you ever smoked marijuana?
He will have plenty of time to think about it in prison!
With luck he will get enough time that he will miss the next Olympics.
You’re human garbage!
Looks like me and you are in the same boat, FRiend. I'm a mechanical and nuclear engineer about to celebrate 10 years of regular smoking. 'Celebrate' because I love to rub the lazy doper stereotype in doubters' faces after I blow them away with my work.
Nobody even believes that I smoke until I show them the greens. Everyone thinks I'm joking because EVERYONE knows 'pot makes you stupid'. Even better is when someone tries to rat me out and nobody believes them :)
And yes, I also know other extremely successful and influential people that think nothing of lighting one up. Engineers, mathematicians, chemists and business owners just to name a few.
That's persuasive.
Are you saying Sarah Palin still smokes? Just about everybody has tried it in college. The discussion here is about current users who make the delusional claim that their “occasional” use causes no damage. Stick to the topic.
Don’t you see that your point is EXACTLY what this discussion is about. Delude yourself into thinking your drug use doesn’t affect anyone...delude yourself into thinking homosexuality is completely natural..delude yourself into thinking a fetus is not a baby.....
It’s not cool to take life as a divine gift to be celebrated and enjoyed in the most dignified way. It’s cool to believe that just because your actions are couched in success that there is no damage being done to your loved ones, your children, or your country.
No one has accountability any more. Not Bill Clinton. Not Tom Daschle. Not Michael Phelps. Especially not the drug adled engineer who could still do math problems but can’t see that his teenage kid is suffering from lack of mature guidance and insight.
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