What A Dope: Michael Phelps caught with cannabis pipe

News of the World ^ | 1/02/2009 | Georgina Dickinson

[LucyJo]

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.

GOLDEN BOY: Phelps at Beijing 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.

[Twink]

I like your screen name.

The rest of your post is good, too.

[Twink]

True. But he hasn’t chosen any path yet from what I can see/what I’ve read about him so far.

And no one should be looking to him or any other celebrity as a role model or be influenced by the choices he makes in his personal life. He’s an olympic swimmer, great athlete. For that, I admire him and the hard work it took him to get there.

[TigersEye]

You get your information from a multi-billion dollar government enforcement agency. No reason for bias or propaganda there. Government never lies of course.

I get my information from personal experience, a solid grounding in botany (I don't buy into the Darwinian Evolution theory required to believe the DEA BS), common sense and load of reading on botany, pharmacology, phytopharmacology, horticulture and chemistry.

[Twink]

Excellent post. I like your tag line too.

[servantboy777]

I keep looking at this so called bong and it looks more like a beer bong to me.

Oh my gosh, he took a hit off a bong.....the horror of it all. The horror I tell you, the horror.

Hundreds of thousands of people have died as the result of alcohol either directly or indirectly.

I'm seeing a bit of hypocrisy in our laws.

[Teacher317]

Our Olympic athletes are supposed to represent US. They are what we want our children to aspire to. They display all of the good characteristics that we have desired in ourselves, such as, wholesome goodness, honesty, good sportsmanship, healthy life style, etc.

Not sure what you've been smoking, but Olympians (and most professional athletes) strive to be the best... period.
If their efforts are admired, and other want to ascribe honorable traits to them, well, that's nice... but it's rarely a focal point. Usain Bolt wasn't donning his spikes hoping that some kids might copy his lifestyle choices and favorite foods in the future. He hit the track every morning hoping to be the fastest. Nothing more.

So, we need to ask ourselves, do we want our children emulating Michael "The Bong" Phelps, or do we want our children to be examples of our core principles?

Well, if you were doing your job as a parent, they'd be looking to you for core principles, not random celebrated personalities.

[abigailsmybaby]

He’s probably neither....not the least bit interested in politics. :)

[Twink]

The one picture does look like a beer bong to me. And it looks like liquid in there. I’m not familiar with a pot bong so I know nothing about them.

We did lots of beer bongs in college, etc.

[servantboy777]

I'm thinking it's a doctored photo....something doesn't jive.

Ya know, these photogs that work for the gossip rags would be chasing him down with a shutter cycling fifteen pix a minute if they witness Phelps hitting a bong.

Somethings a skew.

[Hillarys nightmare]

"If he continues to promote the lifestyle of a pothead they should take his gold medals away."

In that regard, I suppose we should all give back anything we've ever earned if we ever give into some future "discretion" short of murder or adultery.

Experimenting with pot is as old a vice as any in America, and he may well grow out of it.

And if he doesn't grow out of this kinda behavior, those medals will only serve as a reminder for him, of what he used to be. He won them, and he deserves to keep them.

[Rebelbase]

Now, now, that’s just a respiratory therapy device, all athletes use them.

[phatus maximus]

Thanks...glad you enjoyed the reference...it’s a good reminder to me everytime I see it.

[Hildy]

Here’s a kid that during his teen years was on a rigid, demanding, precise, disciplined schedule. He achieved his goals and now he’s having a little fun. My Gosh...can’t stand when the left stands in judgement and I hate it more when our side does.

[Ron Jeremy]

If you can’t decipher it, it’s because you have been smoking. Either that or you resort to ad hominem when you don’t want to answer a question.

[aruanan]

Maybe it’s a lung strengthening device for swimming.

[blondee123]

Check the comments below the story. Must be free internet day at the rehab center.

I did, thought it has to be all the DU members posting there. Most are praising him for doing it & saying "good for you Michael"!!!

Sadly, my 12 year old grandson thought he was a really cool role model, he will be very disappointed to hear this!

[blondee123]

Our Olympic athletes are supposed to represent US. They are what we want our children to aspire to. They display all of the good characteristics that we have desired in ourselves, such as, wholesome goodness, honesty, good sportsmanship, healthy life style, etc.

So, we need to ask ourselves, do we want our children emulating Michael "The Bong" Phelps, or do we want our children to be examples of our core principles?

You've stated the case perfectly.

I thought all the libs were on that site where the article is, but I see some strange responses here tonite too!

This IS what is wrong with our country, "anything goes" attitude! Very difficult to raise a good kid with so many being raised by parents with that attitude!!!

[blondee123]

Nice. You really DO know whats important in life, don’t you, Mr. Strawberry?

BTW, this IS a Conservative forum, ya’ know. The Bong crowd is down the hall to the left, says “DU” on the door.

I was beginning to wonder if I was in the right place, thought I'd see more conservative posts here but I see we are either invaded by trolls or some of our members are on the brink of liberalism!!!

[blondee123]

Actually, it has been the serial affairs with confirmed low-lifes and hookers that has tarnished his star. He is a young thrill seeker who is not smart enough to realize he is ruining his image.

He’s disgusting.

Yep, seems he's not what we thought he was.

He gave a very motivational interview during the Olympics, I even taped it to show to my 12 yr old grandson & he was impressed by it, now he will wonder WHO HE CAN BELIEVE IN!!! Really sad, his mom is probably devistated!!!

[berdie]

Revolting Cat, you are showing your age...or I am, since I immediately recognized that Prine lyric, lol.

I was recently griping to my brother about some athlete's transgression (or actor or politician...insert the scandal of the day). How these people are role models etc, etc, etc. I was on a real rant.

He immediately corrected me...They are not personal role models, nor should they be. And I think he maybe right. One can admire and try to emulate the athletic ability, but any personal morals have to begin at home. And then, young people will experiment. It doesn't mean they will end up living under a bridge.

I don't know if the current crop of athletes are less moral than those of the past. The media wasn't so merciless and everyone didn't walk around with a camera in their pocket.