Drugs claim could spell disaster for Michael Phelps

[Johnners]

Actually surprised this hasn't been mentioned by anyone yet.

Drugs claim could spell disaster for Michael Phelps - Times Online

Will be intrigued to hear what the final outcome is. Would be a shame to lose such a great swimmer to something so stupid, even if it is only for a short period of time. No doubt there will be plenty who use this as a launching pad for more serious drug allegations.

[duffer]

Originally Posted by Clapo

No doubt there will be plenty who use this as a launching pad for more serious drug allegations.

Really? A young bloke punching a cone really should be taken at face value, and only that. Probably not the smartest thing for him to do but in American sports there are so many NBA and NFL players who smoke marijuana that I don't see what the fuss is about.

Really over the top some of the reactions I've read in other places.

[Athlai]

Crankin'

[ripper868]

Originally Posted by duffer

Really? A young bloke punching a cone really should be taken at face value, and only that. Probably not the smartest thing for him to do but in American sports there are so many NBA and NFL players who smoke marijuana that I don't see what the fuss is about.

Really over the top some of the reactions I've read in other places.

The big thing is he's on the cereal boxes everywhere and is the golden child of america that every american should aspire to be/be married too...little jim-bob just gave up swimming and took up ice cream because he has been left distraught by this awful, awful man.

[/] american soccer mOm

[duffer]

Ah, the old role model argument. Never liked it tbh, it's not something they ever asked for.

[ripper868]

Originally Posted by duffer

Ah, the old role model argument. Never liked it tbh, it's not something they ever asked for.

Yup, but when there's millions of schmakos in endorsements etc, with something probably written in to his contracts about public image is when it becomes an issue.

[Simon]

Not the smartest thing, drugs of any sort never are, but really there are far worse things going on than this.

[Johnners]

Originally Posted by duffer

Really? A young bloke punching a cone really should be taken at face value, and only that. Probably not the smartest thing for him to do but in American sports there are so many NBA and NFL players who smoke marijuana that I don't see what the fuss is about.

Really over the top some of the reactions I've read in other places.

The thing that's different about NBA and NFL players, is that they aren't competing outside of America. Whether or not it's right or wrong, I can't imagine fans of Phelps' rivals around the world missing the opportunity to launch drug allegations against a freakishly good American swimmer.

[_Ed_]

Originally Posted by duffer

Never liked it tbh, it's not something they ever asked for.

Yeah, that's exactly right.

This is a real shame. Stupid thing to do, but the poor guy's going to go through much more grief for it than he deserves to.

I don't envy people who live their lives in the spotlight.

[ripper868]

Originally Posted by Clapo

The thing that's different about NBA and NFL players, is that they aren't competing outside of America. Whether or not it's right or wrong, I can't imagine fans of Phelps' rivals around the world, missing the opportunity to launch drug allegations against a freakishly good American swimmer.

fixed

[Burgey]

Perm is Michael Phelps and I claim my five pounds.

[pasag]

How stupid and oblivious do you have to be to get a photo taken like that?

[Jono]

Originally Posted by duffer

Ah, the old role model argument. Never liked it tbh, it's not something they ever asked for.

Respectfully disagree here.

When they accept millions of dollars to make ads like these you are putting yourself out to be a role model. You're talking about overcoming the odds, and working hard etc. Those are good qualities.

I don't really care about Phelps smoking some marijuana, and I'm obviously not a parent as well. But I do sympathise with the reasoned parents who are concerned that a guy that is being paraded around as an American hero is doing recreational drugs at a college party.

The buck falls on the parent to teach and discipline their kids, and make them understand that what they see their favourite players/stars doing on TV isn't always advisable, but it'd help if the athlete (and again, not Phelps in particular) behaved well.

Its not like Mike Tyson or anything, where everyone knows he's a jackass, and his media endorsements showed him off as a crazy mofo who beats the living pulp out of people, but is cool.

However advertising campaigns like the Adidas "Impossible is Nothing" commercials send a message of "look up to these guys, look what they did, and you can do it too." The minute you sign the dotted line to be on these types of ads, you are held accountable to your actions.

[Precambrian]

I cannot believe such a guy could do such an idiotic act. Marijuana is not performance enhancing, however it is just ridiculously stupid of him to get caught doing such things.

[duffer]

Originally Posted by Jono

Respectfully disagree here.

When they accept millions of dollars to make ads like these you are putting yourself out to be a role model. You're talking about overcoming the odds, and working hard etc. Those are good qualities.

I don't really care about Phelps smoking some marijuana, and I'm obviously not a parent as well. But I do sympathise with the reasoned parents who are concerned that a guy that is being paraded around as an American hero is doing recreational drugs at a college party.

The buck falls on the parent to teach and discipline their kids, and make them understand that what they see their favourite players/stars doing on TV isn't always advisable, but it'd help if the athlete (and again, not Phelps in particular) behaved well.

Its not like Mike Tyson or anything, where everyone knows he's a jackass, and his media endorsements showed him off as a crazy mofo who beats the living pulp out of people, but is cool.

However advertising campaigns like the Adidas "Impossible is Nothing" commercials send a message of "look up to these guys, look what they did, and you can do it too." The minute you sign the dotted line to be on these types of ads, you are held accountable to your actions.

I can't really argue with any of that especially the parenting angle, however I still believe the biggest crime he committed was getting photographed

But in his defence he probably had no idea what was going on anyway.