SWIMMING:MICHAEL PHELPS is not sure if he will participate in the London Olympics after he was caught in a storm of controversy this week.
Following the tabloid publication of a photograph showing the American swimming great smoking from a pipe commonly used for marijuana, Phelps told his hometown newspaper, the Baltimore Sun, that the intense public scrutiny has left him contemplating whether to compete in the 2012 Games in London.
In his first public comments since the story broke, the 23-year-old Phelps spoke with the newspaper inside Baltimore’s Meadowbrook Aquatic Center after finishing his daily workout.
“This is a decision of mine that I’m not going to make it today and I’m not going to make tomorrow,” said Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals last summer at the Beijing Olympics.
“It’s going to require a lot of time and energy and a lot of thinking for myself – but also talking to Bob (Bowman, his coach) and talking to my family and just deciding what I want to do.”
Phelps, who suffered another public embarrassment after a drunk-driving arrest in 2004, said he is disappointed he let down not only his fans, but his mother, Debbie. “Seeing my mom reminded me of how it was the day after I got my DUI (Driving Under the Influence), and I swore to myself I’d never do that again,” he said. “This is just a stupid thing of mine that I did, and I have to live with it.”
Bowman indicated he thinks Phelps – with a record 14 gold medals – will persevere and make a go of it in 2012.
Phelps has not admitted to smoking marijuana but also did not deny the authenticity of the photo, taken during a party last November at the University of South Carolina. When asked by the Baltimore Sun whether he regularly smoked the drug, Phelps said he did not.
“This was stupid, and I know this won’t happen again,” Phelps said. “It’s obviously bad judgment, and it’s something I’m not proud of at all. I will say that with the mistakes that I’ve made in my life, I’ve learned from them.”
Swimming’s governing body, Fina, accepted an apology from Phelps and the majority of his sponsors have vowed to stand by him.
However, South Carolina Sheriff Leon Lott has said he will press charges against Phelps if he can prove the swimmer smoked marijuana in his jurisdiction. Marijuana possession is considered a misdemeanour in Richland County and is punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
“There are always people you can’t trust,” Phelps said. “During the whole thing, I’ve really been able to see who my friends are, who my family are, and who really loves and supports me.
“They’ve stood by my side, from the countless text messages, phone messages, emails, those are your friends. All those people who are around during the good times? Those aren’t your friends.”
