SWIMMER TO SPEAK DESPITE POT PICTURES

A Calgary speaking engagement for record breaking Olympic swimmer
Michael Phelps will go ahead as planned despite the publication of
photos that appear to show the elite American athlete smoking pot from a bong.

Toronto-based Power Within, the group organizing the March 3 event,
said a survey of its clients and sponsors showed there is now even
more interest in hearing what Phelps, 23, has to say.

"We're not changing our position on it," said Power Within founder
Salim Khoja. "His message and his accomplishments speak for themselves.

"There's a lot of excitement about him in Calgary. Parents are
planning to bring their kids."

Khoja said the tickets, which are selling for$229, are nearly 70 per cent sold.

Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in
August but has been embroiled in controversy since a photo was
published in British Tabloid the News of the World on the weekend. It
shows him at a party in November apparently using a bong.

Phelps apologized for his behaviour, which he said was"regrettable
and demonstrated bad judgment," although he stopped short of
admitting to smoking pot.

The International Olympic Committee said Monday the apology was proof
of his sincerity and expected him to continue to act as a role model.

"We believe that everyone is innocent until proven guilty," said
Geoff Pradella, the acting chief executive of the Calgary Chamber of
Commerce, a co-sponsor of the event. "We believe it's important to
provide a forum for debate and discussion on issues."

Sgt. Keith Hurley of the Calgary police drug unit said he supported
Phelps during his Olympic run.

"It's sad to see a role model like that make a bad decision," he said.

Cascade Swim Club manager Jasen Pratt said the club's coaching staff
is disappointed in Phelps' behaviour.

"It's stupid what he did and we can only hope young kids are a lot
smarter than that," he said.

Mike Blondal, head coach of the University of Calgary Swim Club, said
he, too, was disappointed but said worldwide media coverage has blown
the incident out of proportion.

"I'm not condoning what he did, but I don't think we need to see
life-size photos of him smoking a bong in newspapers. I don't think
kids need to see that. Now kids are asking, 'What's a bong, mommy?' "