Is America’s Most Famous Olympian A Marijuana Consumer?
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January 31, 2009
Well now…maybe the story today on the Drudge Report–featuring a possible photograph of uber-Olympian and champion pitch man Michael Phelps indulging in some marijuana use with a nice, big glass bong–may finally explain why, when I’m in Baltimore, business owners and some in the media often ask me “if Michael Phelps is a big NORML supporter?” My usual reply is ‘no, not as far as I know. Why?’
Now maybe that answer has possibly presented itself. Check out the photo here.
*Update: Phelps acknowledges the photo is accurate and that he has used marijuana…
14-times Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps caught with cannabis pipe
By Georgina Dickinson, 01/02/2009
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?
*Update: Phelps acknowledges the photo is accurate and that he has used marijuana.
84 Responses to “Is America’s Most Famous Olympian A Marijuana Consumer?”
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Maybe this and the arrest of Barack Obama’s half brother in Kenya for possession will get it at the forefront of the Obama Administration’s priorities like we all want!
what a terrible article. it really sounded like those sources were credible “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.” Absolutuly ridiculous. It’s a shame that whoever took that picture probably made a sizeable amount of money from it. his description of his daily routine (which he has probably been doing since about the age of 6) “All you do is eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim.” Give the guy a fucking break. LONDON 2112, RIP BONGS, WIN GOLD. Ignore ridiculous laws that were put in place for no good reason.
The truth is,’ he should be allowed to smoke marajuana if he wants to, just like every other free person !! And they should’nt have to offer anyone any hush money !! Legelize MJ and be done with it. That would immediately create 20 billion dollars in taxes and free who knows how many people from prison, That tax cfeed, cloth and house. Gateway drug my ass!! I bet this destroys all those theories about people can’t function who smoke pot !! 8 golds DEA, put that in your bong and smoke it !!
who cares. slam some more shots and do another bong rip. guys set for life. the olympics need him more then he needs the sport.
Thought they determined cannabis was not performance enhancing, so it’s not banned in the Olympics?
“I won 8 gold medals”
What has Marijuana done for you?
The perfect spokesman for the marijuana movement. Seriously it shows that you can be a cannabis consumer and be productive. This throws at least one negative stereotype out the door.
If its true so what. Everybody knows marijuana is’nt dangerous so yea. its time to get the truth out and legelize
Clinton toked a fattie, then he got blown by one!
Can’t really tell if it’s him but if it is he should’nt be embrassed
millions do the same
I think it’s awesome that Phelps smokes bud, but it absolutely sucks that this fact was revealed in the manner it was. Hopefully Mike won’t be punished too harshly and hopefully this can be turned into positive energy in the movement for decriminalization and legalization.
Michael Phelps for Captain of the U.S. Olympic Bong Hitting Team!
By the way some of you seem unaware that President Obama has admitted to smoking cannabis (AND INHALING!). There is no better role model than that.
It’s likely that the liquor and beer he was “pounding” was more damaging to his health and performance than the bong hits.
This is our guy. You should beat down the door trying to get him to be a spokesperson. America’s golden boy is a toker like you and me? Can it get any better? Change.org/gov = not helpful, Obama’s brother = slightly helpful, CNBC Reports and Nat. Geo. Documentaries = slightly more helpful, Phelps = Super-helpful. This is our chance lets take it. What can I do to help?
I just hope we don’t see him in any anti-drug commercials anytime soon because of this. The last thing he should ever do is publicly deny or regret anything, because the only thing he might actually regret is all the drinking. Pleeeeeeease don’t become a spokesperson for the DEA, Mr. Phelps!
This right here is a prime example of why marijuana is not what the DEA and anti-marijuana advocates say it is. Phelps has won 14 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS. Let me repeat that once more for you anti pot morons. 14 GOLD MEDALS. He competed against the best in the world and not only won but broke many previous records. This is proof that the classic, “if you smoke pot you are ruining your future” is complete bullshit. Wake up anti-pot advocates, “A little ganja never hurt no one” (Slightly Stoopid) and that is the truth. This is an opportunity for us to educate the public on the real truths of marijuana and not its old irrational myths. Stay NORML.
You can bet he will be in anti-pot commercials. He has millions in advertisements on the line. Unless he is a first class human being, he will take the low road, and the easy way out.
I am not the one photographed. My sideburns don’t grow like that.
MichaeL Phelps even looks like a Pothead…
He probably swims High all the time
This cited article has to be one of the worst written news pieces in the history of any sort of journalism or sensationalist reporting or muckraking or whatever you would term it. I think NORML should offer its support to Phelps and encourage him NOT to apologize and to stand up and say that he’s human and it’s a plant.
You have to be kidding me. This seems so tabloid, I don’t know what to believe, so I’ll just believe in nothing.
Norml should immediatly approach him for a spokesman position . What are you waitin for ? Are you on the phone yet ? How about now ?
How about now ?
Be our voice Phelps!
So that’s how he scarfed down 25,000 calories…
Wow, 8 gold medal winning Olympian is also a cannabis consumer, where is his commercial John Walters?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-v-santore/
michael-phelps-hypocrasy_b_162939.html
Great story on the matter
Hello Funguymon,
Apparently Phelps has confirmed with the AP, etc…
-Allen
NORML
Phelps acknowledges photo using pot pipe
By PAUL NEWBERRY – 29 minutes ago
Olympic great Michael Phelps acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment” after a photo in a British newspaper Sunday showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.
“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” Phelps said in the statement released by one of his agents. “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.”
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.
While the newspaper did not specifically allege that Phelps was smoking pot, it did say the pipe is generally used for that purpose and anonymously quoted a partygoer who said the Olympic champion was “out of control from the moment he got there.”
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 golds he won at Beijing. He has never tested positive for banned substances. The case is unlikely to fall under any doping rules.
Phelps’ main sanctions most likely will be financial — perhaps doled out by embarrassed sponsors who might be reconsidering their dealings with the swimmer.
Phelps was in Tampa, Fla., 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.
The U.S. Olympic Committee said it was “disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps,” who was selected the group’s sportsman of the year. He also was honored as AP male athlete of the year, and his feat in Beijing — breaking Mark Spitz’s 36-year-old record for most gold medals in an Olympics — was chosen as the top story of 2008.
“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 USOC said in a statement. “In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities.”
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, “we realize that none among us is perfect. We hope that Michael can learn from this incident and move forward in a positive way.”
Phelps was part of a group of elite athletes who agreed to take part in a pilot testing program designed to increase the accuracy of doping tests. His spot in the program could be at risk, said Travis Tygart, head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
“For one of the Olympics’ biggest heroes it’s disappointing, and we’ll evaluate whether he remains in that program,” Tygart said. “But some good education comes from this because he’s going to suffer some penalties.”
Marijuana is viewed differently from performance-enhancing drugs, according to David Howman, executive director of the World Anti-Doping Agency. An athlete is subject to WADA sanctions only for a positive test that occurs during competition periods.
“We don’t have any jurisdiction,” Howman said. “It’s not banned out of competition. It’s only if you test positive in competition.”
Phelps returned to the pool a couple of weeks ago to begin preparations for this summer’s world championships in Rome. He plans to take part in his first post-Olympics meet in early March, a Grand Prix event in Austin, Texas.
This isn’t the first embarrassing episode for Phelps after an Olympic triumph. In 2004, a few months removed from winning six gold and two bronze medals in Athens, the swimmer was arrested on a drunken driving charge at age 19. He pleaded guilty and apologized for the mistake.
In his book “No Limits: The Will to Succeed,” Phelps recounted how his first phone call was to his agent, and not his mother or coach Bob Bowman, because he knew they would yell at him.
Later, he called Bowman, who was supportive but told him, “Michael, just because you want to blow off some steam doesn’t mean you can be an idiot.”
Debbie Phelps, his mother, cried at the news.
“That hurt worse, maybe, than anything,” Phelps wrote. “I had never seen my mother that upset.”
Bowman did not immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages Sunday.
Olympic teammate Dara Torres said Phelps has become such a prominent figure that everything he does is news.
However, she said: “This in no way, shape or form diminishes anything he’s done.”
“It’s sort of a double-edged sword,” Torres told the AP on Sunday. “When you’re recognizable, you’re looked up to as a role model. He is recognizable and everything you do gets looked at and picked apart. I guess that’s the price of winning 14 Olympic medals.”
Jason Lezak, whose remarkable anchor leg of the 400-meter freestyle relay helped Phelps stay on course to break Spitz’s record, said he was “saddened” to hear of the report.
“While I don’t condone his conduct, I am a teammate and fan,” Lezak said in a text message to the AP. “Unlike many fair-weather people, I am sticking by him. If my wife and I can help him in any way, we will. I believe he will grow from this and be better person, role model and teammate.”
Last year, News of the World posted video on its Web site showing Max Mosley, the president of motor racing’s governing body, engaging in sex acts with five prostitutes. Mosley admitted to being a part of the scenario but sued for breach of privacy and was awarded $120,000. Another news break involved Prince Harry in 2002, smoking marijuana and drinking before the legal age of 18.
During the 1998 Nagano Olympics, Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati was stripped of his gold medal in the giant slalom after testing positive for marijuana,. The victory was reinstated because the sport’s governing body did not have a rule banning the substance. Later that year, Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. drew a three-month suspension after testing positive for pot.
“It’s one of those substances that every year there’s debate over it,” said Howman, the WADA official.
He said U.S. officials and swimming’s world organization, could punish Phelps — perhaps under code of conduct rules — if there is “sufficient evidence to indicate possession, supply or distribution.”
“We have to be strong on these things,” Howman said. “We certainly are relying on those who are responsible to look into this.”
The USOC noted that Phelps acknowledged his mistake and apologized.
“We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion,” the group said.
The only reason he is saying its regretable is because he’ll probably loose a bunch of money. Why not grow some balls and say I like to smoke pot and what I do with my own time is my own business. Then go on and say it hasn’t harmed me in any way and I really have never understood why its illegal in the first place. With his stature he could pull a Mohammad Ali and SHAKE UP THE WORLD!!!!
“News of the World” is absolutely ridiculous. That article was so unprofessional and bias. It is clear what the media is attempting to smear Michael Phelps, make him seem like an irresponsible party boy who doesn’t deserve our admiration. He hit a bong at a party WEEKS before Beijing–he didn’t shoot up heroin the night before the Olympics people. I think a little research and a little common sense will completely debunk the “people who smoke pot are lazy/irresponsible” stereotype. There are SO MANY intelligent, hardworking, successful, dynamic people who currently use cannabis or have in the past. Including, most recently, Michael Phelps. This, if not the many other sensible reasons, should be enough to shake the foundations of cannabis prohibition. “Should” being the operative word.
After reading Allen St. Pierre’s update from Associated Press, I just wanted to say I’m incredibly disappointed in Michael Phelps’ statement. This was a golden moment for him to take responsibility for his actions and tell the truth about cannabis, and he clearly blew it. I think his statement is exactly what he was told to say, not what he believes.
Well I guess weed didn’t stand in the way of Phelps achieving.
WOW, Michael Phelps. This guy has to courage and determination to win 8 gold medals and then does something completely normal and APOLOGIZES for it? Why would you let us down Michael Phelps? It’s a shame that he seems to be a conformist. Pitty.
I would sure like to believe that this will help de-bunk the ridiculous elitist ideal perpetuated by the drug control policy folks of sports as an “anti-drug” that keeps us away from “dangerous substances” such as cannabis.
Whatever happened to sports as a way to relax, unwind and have fun?
It is obvious that successful people know pot ain’t gonna hurt them and it’s good to see a guy like Phelps who isn’t afraid of the anti-doping Nazis and the chokehold they have placed on all sporting events, and that he can still manage, on occasion, to enjoy himself in spite of his role model status.
Apologize? What for? People from all walks of life smoke marijuana. Firefighters, teachers, janitors, lawyers, chef’s, actors, cashiers, doctors, police officers, athletes, the list goes on and on. I believe it is silly and in these tough economic times downright irresponsible to criminalize something that could potentially raise billions of dollars in tax revenue per year. There is a reason marijuana is the #1 cash crop, people smoke pot. We are not debating his use of methamphetamine or steroids here, its marijuana. I have found that the majority of people I have spoken with who are passionately against the practice of smoking pot have never smoked it themselves. Therefore their opinions are based on ignorance. You can denounce meth without trying it, that’s acceptable. But in my humble opinion marijuana does not fit its current government classification; its effects are more in the realms of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. I am kind of upset about this, not that he had his picture taken holding a bong and a sorry tabloid decided to capitalize on the controversy surrounding the issue. It’s the fact that he sold out and did not take advantage of this opportunity. Speak your mind and stand up for what you believe in, that’s a role model.
Phelps is just a big, stupid guy who can swim – so what’s the problem with him smoking pot?
If he happened to be smart and could swim the media wholdn’t be interested.
I agree with Greg. Phelps is going to bend over and start suckin the D*** of whoever holds his career in their hands. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start to see him in anti drug psa’s.
i hate him for saying he’s sorry for smokin 1 hit of ganja.
It’s a shame how the government has kept so many people in the dark. it’s hard to believe in this day and age so many can still be so ignorant about cannabis. The guy is a hero,he has nothing too be ashamed of. The President did it! The guy was at a pary, had been under a lot of stress and saw a bowl and hit it! He wasn’t shooting up or snorting lines; he just took a relaxing hit off a bong. This is perfectly Norml.
I live near Tampa. This morning (2/2/2009) on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show (FM 102.5) he had a paparazzi caller on the show who claims that colleagues of his also saw Phelps at a local club smoking pot in the club. Apparently the club management asked him to leave. Too bad he got busted smoking that bong but it at least got we some press time. It’s good that a hero like Phelps admitted to it, too bad he said he regretted it but I guess you gotta watch your pocketbook.
im a huge steeler fan and just to note our new super bowl MVP Mr. Holmes was held out of game this season for being caught in Pittsburgh with Marijuana. I think it is an athlete taking the high road from opiate use.
Lol who knew Olympic hero would become synanomous with spineless, apologetic coward. He was over rated from the get go he just so happened to be built for swimming that’s all, most our olymipic snowboarders smoke and I’ve yet to hear any of them apologize for it. Atleast the snowboarders have to work hard and risk everything, what’s Phelps really ever risked aside from money and reputation?
Let’s get a campaign started. Let’s get in touch with Mike and encourage him to be honest and not to give in to pressure from anti pot legislators, advertisers and anyone else bent on being a hypocrite.
I say if ANYONE drops Phelps as an endorser because he smoked pot we boycott their products. We should flex a muscle and the muscle attached to the wallet hurts most for these people. (And what better time to do it? In a time of financial “make it or die” the scales can tip with nothing more than a breath.) Who’s with me!?!
If we could muster this level of oneness we can make things happen. If nothing else we can get the media attention. We need nonviolent news time.
If the “far right” can do it to make us do what they want why can’t we do it right back?
why michael shouldn’t have apologized:
http://campusprogress.org/opinions/3589/dont-apologize-michael
Here’s what he SHOULD have said…
http://klogtheblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/letter-to-my-concerned-fans-from.html
Who Care’s if mike phelps smoked a bong every one should be able to do it legally
Phelps is probably the most famous athlete in the world and he is in a great position to promote responsible use of cannabis. Who knows what will happen.. this may turn out to be a positive for Phelps. I’ve already learned something – for instance – I didn’t know Michael Phelps was left handed…
If you want to really spice things up, contact Octagon and let them know that Phelps smoking pot does not bother you or “taint” his image in any way. It definitely doesn’t bother me. As far as role models are concerned, Phelps is still a great role model. He’s dedicated, works hard and plays hard too. Maybe now, parents will be forced to tell their children the truth about cannabis use and still be responsible, sensible contributors to society.
What a horrible article. And the comments of the article have mostly people slamming this poor guys character. I’m trying to bring the norml fight to the comments and educate a little…
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/01/michael.phelps.marijuana/index.html
P.S. I am so sick of the “role model” card. People in this country have a real issue with personal responsibility. Your kids are YOUR responsibility and no matter how many medals he wins it will never be phelps job. You teach your kids and educate them. And at the same time please teach them to leave people alone and let them make their own adult choices with their free time.
I’m very sad he has backed down like this. But I guess weed didn’t turn him into and unmotivated loser… 8 medals is pretty good right?
So far 2 sponsors are standing by his side, although one of them in clearly going down the PC route….
http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/9169788/
Phelps-backed-by-sponsors-after-marijuana-photo?MSNHPHCP>1=39002
Oh, plesae: to all who believe this “story” should even be on such a usually serious site as NORML’s (what “LAWS” are at stake here?) what, if anything does this “prove”? Keep drinking the Kool Aid, Obamabietz….keep getting busted.