Michael Phelps
March 5, 2009 11:00 am SwimmingSwimming star Michael Phelps has escaped potentially career ending criminal charges after picture of the greatest Olympian ever smoking what appears to be a marijuana pipe or ‘bong’ surfaced in an English tabloid newspaper.
The image sent shockwaves through the swimming world as it was plastered across newspaper, the internet and television last month.
County Sheriff of Richland Leon Lott was quick to advise the media that Phelps did in fact face serious criminal charges and that he, along with the District Attorney’s office would seek to prosecute Phelps to the full extent of the law if found guilty.
However, having thoroughly investigated the matter, Lott stated that there was not enough evidence to prosecute the superstar (or in fact anyone else at the party) and that it could not be proven that Phelps had in fact smoke marijuana, despite the fact that star openly admitted he had made a mistake.
The swimmer was quick to apologise to fans and fellow athletes following the surfacing of humiliating image and declared he had made a terrible error in judgement.
Phelps, who won an unprecedented eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, elevating him to the status of the greatest Olympian of all time, has received a three month suspension from competing in any swim meet from the United States swimming governing body.
The star swimmer is also said to have lost a lucrative contract with Kellogg’s who were quick to pull the pin on a sponsorship deal despite many other of Phelp’s sponsors sticking by him.
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