PHELPS WILL NOT FACE CHARGES AFTER PHOTOGRAPH

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A South Carolina sheriff said Monday that he
was not going to charge the 14-time gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps
after a photograph showed him using a marijuana pipe.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said he could not ignore the
photograph but defended his investigation.

"Michael Phelps is truly an American hero," Lott said. "But even with
his star status, he is still obligated to obey the laws of our state."

The photograph showed Phelps using a marijuana pipe at a party in
November when he visited the University of South Carolina.

Phelps has said his judgment was bad and that he would learn from his mistake.

USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months in the wake of the
photograph, and Kellogg Co. said it would not renew its endorsement
deal with him.

The photograph surfaced in the British newspaper News of the World on
Feb. 1. Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing
Games, did not dispute its authenticity.

News of the World said the picture was taken during a party while
Phelps was visiting the university nearly three months after the Olympics.