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."
BTW whether it’s half the cops in Miami or 3/4 of the engineers at Michigan State or 97% of the housewives in Denmark who smoke dope.... doesn’t prove it’s harmless.
Obama won the election...we are learning everyday that THAT majority was wrong also.
Personally I could care less if people smoked dope if it was legal.
But considering what is happening in Mexico and elsewhere I can’t consider it a harmless little habit. People are getting murdered, kidnapped, and raped because of people supplying that little habit.
He's 23 years old and spent the last four-eight years competing and being drug tested. He didn't have the opportunity to "try it in college".
So sorry that he might be trying to be a little more normal for awhile.
Yeah, so many kids who would never have imagined smoking pot until Michael Phelps does it. Yeah, right.
That’s a function of the black market. Just ask Al Capone.
Imam dalereed wants to put everyone who isn’t dalereed in prison. Kind of a fetish of his.
Don't sugar coat it. Tell us what you really think.
Obviously I have never smoked marijuana. Did you read my post?
Wow! That is quite an accomplishment! Those currents around the SFB are insane, and the cold...my hat is off to you.
Hey dude. Some of us are not dope smokers, alcoholics, cig smokers or losers. Dope smoking is not healthy.
I would rather see other swimmers get a chance to make some endorsement money. $10 million a year just to Phelps is foolish. Sad but he is a doper.
According to government statistics more than 100,000,000 Americans have done it. Looking at the same statistics you would find that more than half of all adults under the age of 60 in this country would admit on a government survey that they have smoked marijuana. A lot of people haven't done it. That's true. But a whole lot have, including a lot of Christians and conservatives. People don't talk about it a lot because it carries a certain social stigma, and of course it is illegal, but if you had some way of knowing who has done it I think you would be surprised at how many people you know who have done it and in some cases still do it occasion.
He is a doper and what he did is still illegal and he does have a responsibility to those who sponsor him....I am shocked that his sponsors have not dropped him, I guess they have bought into the idea that everyone does it and he is only 23.....I say Barbra Streisand to that and he should be held accountable..... What bothers me the most is our society has become so excepting of bad behavior....
Yup, been there, done that. Swimmers, sky divers, and believe it or not, top motorcycle racers all smoke pot regularly. As one champion racer explained to me, he can hear each engine part screaming as he races--it "talks to him." Funny thing is, if it were legalized, a huge part of the border war violence would go away, and inner city kids would have to find real jobs. Boy that would suck, huh.
Glad to meetcha! Actually I don't do it anymore, but for real I know some of the best scientists, engineers, and CEO's who partake regularly. Most of them quite well off.
I love that quote I saw it earlier today.
“Swimmers, sky divers, and believe it or not, top motorcycle racers all smoke pot regularly.”
All of them do? Come on. That’s b.s. I’m sure some do. I wouldn’t doubt that the percentage of these people who do it is higher than the national average because their mostly young, more likely to be male than female, and at least sky divers and motorcycle racers are people who would tend to be more likely to live on the wild side somewhat. The same would go for snow boarders. But not all of them smoke pot. That’s just a ridiculous thing to say.
“their” = “they’re”
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