You know the one.
The one that England's News of the World paper published on it's front pages (both on-line and in it's newsstand copies.)
He's apologised, and made the usual "error in judgement" statement to the public.
But what is really disgusting is that people are so quick to give him a pass on this one.
I am just outraged that some people have said because it was an out-of-competition situation, that it shouldn't be an actionable offense and that WADA should stay out of it as well as the USOC (even though USOC has issued it's own statement on the matter.)
Others have said that because he was at a private party of a girl that he was dating at the time, that folks should mind their own business. It's part of life at college they say; school/beer/parties/pot.
Even more have said that just because he had a bong to his mouth, that doesn't prove he was smoking anything. Wrong, bucko. I remember Cheech and Chong doing all that marijuana-related humor and you can't say that they didn't toke it up from time to time-a lot.
Same thing.
WADA can make cases sometimes years after an alleged violation. They took away someone's medal from Sydney just recently. Ditto for Athens. Some got their chain yanked there too.
The USOC and IOC will have a PR nightmare on their hands if they *don't* get involved. Phelps, like it or not should realise he has a responsibility to set an example just because of the mere fact he is a public figure.
If he doesn't want to set an example fine. But once that 8th gold meadal was awarded, he was in that position-like it or not. And his out-of-the-pool behavior no matter if he is competing or not should be scruitinized, all for the fact that he has been held up as an example of what is right with sporting in America.
My message to the USOC, IOC and WADA is to *get* involved, and if necessary, re-test (even though according to everyone he has never failed a dope test) while in competition. And if necessary, start to yank medals.
Shame on you Michael. I expected better-and so did America.
