Olympics Scandal On The Way

storm888 · January 31, 2009 7:25AM

PAPER: OLYMPIC HERO PICTURED SMOKING BONG... DEVELOPING...

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'NEWS OF THE WORLD' SET TO ROCK SPORTS WITH SHOCK PHOTO, STORY...

rube26105 · January 31, 2009 7:31AM

was it a american or it dont say yet

storm888 · January 31, 2009 7:36AM

Maybe it's the tiny little Chinese gym-chicks.

ROCKDJRW · January 31, 2009 7:41AM

Smoking a bong???! This will be shocking! Imagine if its a member of the Redeem team?? Could you imagine an NBA player smoking a bong??!!

ArchStanton · January 31, 2009 7:42AM

I didn't see any smoke or flame in the picture. Even if you could see smoke, who it to say it is anything illegal. Unless he can be tested within the next two weeks, this is a non-story.

edit -to add picture and add there could very possibly be the reflection of a flame there

IchiroDeported · January 31, 2009 7:55AM

well it's certainly not a performance enhancer.

storm888 · January 31, 2009 8:25AM

If that guy's picture is on any cereal boxes, collectors
might consider getting a few NOW.

There will not likely be another print run.

goraiders · January 31, 2009 8:27AM

Who is it?

IchiroDeported · January 31, 2009 8:29AM

i think thats Phelps.

nearmint · January 31, 2009 8:31AM

Definitely not one of the tiny little Chinese gym-chicks.

storm888 · January 31, 2009 8:32AM

story

storm888 · January 31, 2009 8:35AM

The allegations that his peeps offered "consideration" to
the paper in exchange for killing the story/picture, is fairly
serious.

I doubt that most folks care if the guy smokes dope or not.
His sponsors will care because some parents won't buy the
cereal, but his fans are not likely to be turned-off.

IchiroDeported · January 31, 2009 8:37AM

1. how can they prove that he smoked anything.
2. Is that the only picture of him? that could be anyone.
3. If it is him, and they do prove it was pot, he would be suspeneded automatically correct?

calaban7 · January 31, 2009 8:44AM

Does anyone know if that is a "Gary" bong ?

storm888 · January 31, 2009 8:46AM

<< 1. how can they prove that he smoked anything.
2. Is that the only picture of him? that could be anyone.
3. If it is him, and they do prove it was pot, he would be suspeneded automatically correct? >>

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Disclaimer: I think that ALL "drug laws" are ridiculous, AND I have never used illegal drugs.

.......

1. Lots of witnesses.

2. The picture is likely real, based on the allegation that his guys tried to supress it.

3. He would be suspended, BUT the OC has a vested interest in protecting the guy's
franchise. Thus, some kind of "waiver" could/would be worked out.

The libel laws are substantially different in the UK than they are in the US.
If the story was baseless, it would not likely have made the paper.

...........

The punk that took/sold that picture is a scumbag.

And, the athlete is an IDIOT for partying with scumbags.

fur72 · January 31, 2009 8:48AM

News linkey

Inst that kind of his buisness when not competing? Not sure how it works. I remember there was a Monday night football game in Baltimore. At the end of the game they kept showing him in a private booth and he look like he had a couple drinks.

storm888 · January 31, 2009 8:51AM

"Isn't that kind of his business when not competing?..."

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My read says any illegal drug use = DQ.

billwaltonsbeard · January 31, 2009 9:20AM

Oh my, what a shocker! I care about this even less than I cared about the Olympics.

I do like the heading title of the last section of the article though.

pandrews · January 31, 2009 9:43AM

<< 
The punk that took/sold that picture is a scumbag.
>>

ttt

also, i'm now a fan if he does indeed partake..

MeteoriteGuy · January 31, 2009 9:45AM

Imagine how fast he would be if he wasn't high. (I know...bad joke).

BunchOBull · January 31, 2009 10:04AM

It's a shame to see his 2012 hopes get flushed down the tubes...too bad it had to be over something this lame.

KOBEcollector · January 31, 2009 10:12AM

Dosen't look like Phelps to me

MeteoriteGuy · January 31, 2009 10:14AM

rube26105 · January 31, 2009 10:15AM

dont look like michael phelps to me either,it looks more like goober from andy griffith 40 years ago to me

MBMiller25 · January 31, 2009 10:23AM

That was some expensive dope!

SidePocket · January 31, 2009 10:23AM

Looks like whoever it is he's wearing a girl's watch.

recbball · January 31, 2009 11:05AM

So what!

ElToroLoco · January 31, 2009 11:09AM

He should be stripped of all his medals and an asterisk put next to all those records!

storm888 · January 31, 2009 11:45AM

If the story is true, the athlete could be out for 2012.

.........................................

See: Item S8

IOC: Prohibited Dope

MeteoriteGuy · January 31, 2009 11:48AM

<< He should be stripped of all his medals and an asterisk put next to all those records! >>

Or we should give him an asterisk and add a couple medals. * - Would have swan 0.02 faster if he didn't have to slow down because of the bright light.

yawie99 · January 31, 2009 1:01PM

<< So what! >>

fur72 · January 31, 2009 2:02PM

<<

>>

+1 for the Matthew Fox / Lost refference

Edit to add I dont think its him. Phelps has that George Muressan look to him. The noses dont match.

stevek · January 31, 2009 2:27PM

<<

>>

looks like he's really enjoying it, whatever it is.

ElToroLoco · January 31, 2009 11:57PM

My initial reaction was the guy was too buff to be Phelps and that side profile just didn't look right. Lastly, I really haven't seen much in the news about this, so I doubt it can be proven.

stown · February 1, 2009 12:23AM

Phelps just went up a few notches in my book.

nightcrawler · February 1, 2009 12:56AM

OK, I'm just trying to get a handle on this...

Smoke lots of dope, win gold medals. Smoke lot of dope, win gold medals.

Vancouver, here I come.

DrJ · February 1, 2009 1:00AM

I don't think that is Phelps, and if it is I really don't care. I do not think this story has legs as it has not hit any of the major sources of Sprts news.

baseballfan · February 1, 2009 1:36AM

i don't think its him either

the nose doesn't look right

vtbub · February 1, 2009 3:34AM

<< I don't think that is Phelps, and if it is I really don't care. I do not think this story has legs as it has not hit any of the major sources of Sprts news. >>

Considering he has apologized and it's now on the wire services, it looks like the story has some merit.

storm888 · February 1, 2009 3:43AM

"Considering he has apologized and it's now on the wire services, it looks like the story has some merit. "

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Seems to be so.

If it turns out that his handlers made the alleged suppression-offers to the rag,
he will have a worse problem than just a dumb bong photo.

It's always the attempted coverups that explode.

yawie99 · February 1, 2009 3:52AM

What a lame response from Phelps. Guess I was expecting too much, though, for him to come out and say, "Yeah, so what. I still kick ass in the pool."

bigwilli · February 1, 2009 3:58AM

At least he stood up and said "i did it" unlike alot of athletes to claim they took it unknowingly or try to blames others . I do not
think any less of Phelps now. He may get in some trouble for this but at least he stood up and took responsibilty for his actions.

Yes it would have been funny if he said..."I will still kick your azz in the pool even with the munchies....

storm888 · February 1, 2009 4:03AM

If it were up to the fans, and not a matter of ridiculous laws/rules,
that would be the end of it.

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Phelps acknowledges photo showing him smoking pot

By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP National Writer

1 hour, 15 minutes ago

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Olympic great Michael Phelps has acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment” after a photo in a British newspaper showed him smoking marijuana.

In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.

Phelps said: “I engaged in behavior 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.”

30

bigwilli · February 1, 2009 4:07AM

How much money to you think the person who took the photo made off selling it ?

You are right storm.....most fans wouldnt care but you know he will catch alot of heat for this . He could be
suspended for 2 years i think.

storm888 · February 1, 2009 4:11AM

<< How much money to you think the person who took the photo made off selling it ? >>

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A bunch.

He should be shunned.

The IRS needs to collect their share of the money quickly.

Cokin75 · February 1, 2009 4:23AM

The dork finally gets laid, and he's spun out of control.

Just hope he doesn't throw anything on his friends door....

grote15 · February 1, 2009 4:24AM

I'm waiting for the feds to invesitigate him now like Barry Bonds, LOL..

calaban7 · February 1, 2009 4:33AM

I'm feel bad that he let himself get into this position in life . I'm from Baltimore and have been very aware of his swimming for years . His mom has done a wonderful job , without any support from his father (father figure--mostly) . With the lack of a father figure, this really does not surprize me . Michael with his mom have done alot , with what they had . I'm still very proud of his accomplishments.

My only regret , is that he didn't say " Sure I used the bong , but I didn't inhale ". If he only would have done that , he would have had some great company.

grote15 · February 1, 2009 4:39AM

Now I know why he consumed 8,000 calories a day...it was the munchies..

Seriously, does anyone really think less of him because he smoked marijuana? It's not like he's smoking crack here...I can see why advertisers would be reluctant to use him now, after all, they are naturally misleading, manipulative and disingenuous, but his achievements at the Olympics are in no way diminished because of this in my eyes...I mean, c;mon now, this is still a very young man we're talking about, and he's obviously been able to maintain his focus and drive to excellence..he's still an American hero, IMO..

storm888 · February 1, 2009 4:59AM

"Seriously, does anyone really think less of him because he smoked marijuana? ......"

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Some folks will, but not most.

The sponsors may have no choice but to phase-out some of his deals.

....

A new set of Federal Judges may solve the problem, sooner rather
than later; and. without the need for divisive legislation.

If Roe vs. Wade was decided on the issue of "privacy," such right-thinking
judges could well determine that drug-use of any kind is a private matter.

The prison-industrial-complex would crash, but maybe those folks could
get real jobs; maybe working on the power-grid so that a little snow and
ice does not close down the country.

ElToroLoco · February 1, 2009 5:25AM

OK, well I guess it's him then if that was his response to the bong picture. He'll lose quite a few endorsements if that's the case and I would expect some politician to do a federal investigation on marijuana and his Olympic performance.

Olympics Scandal On The Way

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