Michael Phelps and a bong? Is there any truth to this?

I'm bowing out, you win CF.

I've been impressed by how many masters swimmers are recovering alcoholics, or admit to partying hard in their younger, wilder days, even while swimming at a pretty high level (not a pun, really). Many I've met have swapped the partying addiction for swimming, and appear to pursue it with the same fervor previously reserved for getting high. I'm wondering if swimming in particular attracts addictive personalities. Oh, I so qualify. Good post. I've felt the same way for a long time. As for the rest of these folks on this particular discussion :argue: , they may just need to spend more time in the water and less time "addictively arguing". :) Can't they just get along? :afraid:

Below is the latest from AP and discusses what sponsors are doing. www.google.com/.../ALeqM5hH75uXJ3DMgOlp2Zq4AGqXXngJbAD963NV700

As for the rest of these folks on this particular discussion :argue: , they may just need to spend more time in the water and less time "addictively arguing". :) Can't they just get along? :afraid: But Carlos' reappearance just made Stud's day! :bolt: We're not "very calm members" like you, Jim. :)

Reading impaired? Calling me out on what? The only ppl that talk smack to my face w/ impugnity are those in the upper echelons of the sport. Here's the thing, Fortress: most ppl that beat me don't talk smack out of respect for a good competitor. I only talk smack to my friends and guys who are at my level and w/ whom I have that type of a relationship. You don't know me, and yet you sit here and attack my swimming on more than one occasion. Put up or shut up. I've never attacked your swimming. I questioned whether you had the multiple fina top 3 rankings you asserted. Having two #2 USMS rankings is not the same. Why do you always feel it necessary to fling a ludicrous insult like "reading impaired?"? I just used the words "call you out" because, for some bizarre reason, you used that phraseology on Geek. I believe I can talk smack to you, Carlos. Though why you can only talk with those in the "upper echelons" is beyond me. Do they do snobby in the hood? If you've really been lurking lately, moreover, you'll have noted that most of the threads for awhile, apart from the "outsider" thread, have been pretty much straight swimming. And by the way, consult your own "little dictionary." You appear not to know how to spell "impunity." And, as you note above, I can apparently point this out with impunity. Smack!

Since Omega is not dumping him, I would definitely buy one of their watches, if I had the money. If Hilton Hotels dumps him, I won't be staying at any more Hampton Inns.

The google ads are starting to adjust to this thread's keywords. LOL

So Phelps gets to keep his some of his most prized sponsors, eh? Lucky him. Do you think if this were November 2004 and Phelps only had his six golds instead of "greatest olympian ever" title that most of his sponsors would still keep him after a picture like this? Was four years ago a completely different era, already? Food for thought. Don't think it would have ever come up. I don't think Phelps was under the microscope as much then. Some greedy, calculating so-and-so thought they could make money off this picture and probably has now. Doubt they could have made money in November of 2004 on this. So, I doubt a picture like this would have surfaced then. If so, I doubt Speedo would have dropped him.

His DUI in 2004 didn't get that much attention and that is a bigger offensive. I just think that the media is out for blood since he was able to do the unthinkable at Beijing, win 8 gold medals.

Have you been smoking the weed as well, er, excuse me, the tobacco water pipe? I don't believe anyone has said he's a god or hold him to god standards. I think many of us are merely holding him to the same standards we'd hold our kids or other citizens to. In addition, please remember Phelps has/is banking literally on his wholesome image. Do you not recall he was one of the enhanced drug testing pilot program participants at the Olympics? I think it is very telling that many of those who are chiming in on the "it's just pot" mantra don't have kids and haven't had to explain this to impressionable youngsters in the past day. You probably also aren't aware that he had been all over Splash magazine the past year, which the swimmer kids really seem to like. How in the world can any sane person say this doesn't hurt anyone? The message he is sending is loud and clear. All the Phelp's apologists are now saying the same thing they said after the DWI. At least you are consistent. Your impressionable youngsters concern is interesting and not without validity. However, you DO have an avatar featuring someone who is clearly inebriated to the point of falling down, while using the word "pimpy" in your sig line ("Pimp" presumably synonomous with "cool" - a usage that I loathe). Are these OK for impressionable youngsters to see and do because theyre legal? Yeah, it was stupid, and its going to cost him some money. He may be a little underdeveloped in the ways of the world - thats what happens when all you do is "eat, swim, sleep" for 5 years. I doubt it will happen again (not after his mom plants a foot in his ass). If it does, find a different role model for your kids - but dont watch them too closely.