PHELPS APOLOGIZES FOR ALLEGED DRUG USE

British Tabloid Exposes Photo Of Olympic Champion Inhaling From Bong
While In Columbia

U.S. Olympic champion Michael Phelps apologized for his behavior after
a photo of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe during a house party in
Columbia surfaced Sunday.

The photo, which was published by the British tabloid News of the
World, was reportedly taken when Phelps visited Columbia in November,
during which time he received a standing ovation from the crowd during
a USC football game.

One of Phelps's agents released a statement in which Phelps apologized
for his actions.

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad
judgment," Phelps said. "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."

The publication did not actually allege that Phelps smoked pot, it
did, however, say that is what the pipe is used for. Phelps did not
dispute the authenticity of the picture.

Student Body President Andrew Gaeckle said he knows Phelps has been in
trouble before, such as his DUI in 2004, and he said "as a public
figure, I wish he'd act as though he has some responsibilities to uphold."

However, Gaeckle said he knows individuals are in charge of their own
actions.

"At the same time, individuals are who they are. He does activities at
his own risk and if that's something he's OK with that is his choice,"
said the fourth-year international studies student. "However, smoking
marijuana is illegal and in that sense it's right he got caught.

Phelps should not lose the eight gold medals he won in the Beijing
Games at the 2008 Olympics, though he could lose money from his sponsors.

The U.S. Olympic Committee selected Phelps as the group sportsman of
the year and said it was "disappointed in the behavior recently
exhibited by Michael Phelps," according to The Associated Press. "That
said, we realize that none among us is perfect. We hope that Michael
can learn from this incident and move forward in a positive way."

Meg Chieffe, a third-year accounting student, said she thinks the
attention directed at the incident is deserved.

"He's supposed to be a role model for kids," she said. "Stuff like
this always gets blown up."

Chieffe said he should be held to higher standards than many people,
due to his status.

"I think he should since so many people look up to him and because of
his accomplishments," Chieffe said. "If he's going to do that stuff he
at least shouldn't let himself get caught."

David Howman, the World Anti-Doping Agency executive director, said an
athlete can only be punished if a positive test occurs during
competition, according to The Associated Press.

"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 has never tested positive during competition.

Phelps's teammate Dara Torres said although she doesn't approve of
Phelps's actions, she understands the strain of being in the spotlight.

"When you're recognizable, you're looked up to as a role model,"
Torres said to the Associated Press. "He is recognizable and
everything you do gets looked at and picked apart. I guess that's the
price of winning 14 Olympic medals."

The Associated Press contributed to this report