Michael Phelps is not certain that he will take part in the 2012 London Olympics after he was caught up in a wave of controversy this week. In the wake of the photograph published in a British Sunday tabloid showing the American swimmer smoking from a pipe commonly used for marijuana, Phelps told his hometown newspaper, the Baltimore Sun, that the intense public scrutiny has left him contemplating whether to compete at the 2012 Games.
In his first public comments since the story broke, the 23-year-old Phelps spoke to the newspaper inside Baltimore's Meadowbrook Aquatic Center after finishing his daily workout.
"This is a decision of mine that I'm not going to make today and I'm not going to make tomorrow," said Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals last summer at the Beijing Olympics. "It's going to require a lot of time and energy and a lot of thinking for myself – but also talking to Bob [his coach, Bob Bowman] and talking to my family and just deciding what I want to do."
Phelps, who was arrested for drink-driving in 2004, said he is disappointed that he let down not only his fans, but also his mother, Debbie. "Seeing my mom reminded me of how it was the day after I got my DUI [driving under the influence], and I swore to myself I'd never do that again," he said. "This is just a stupid thing of mine that I did, and I have to live with it."
Bowman indicated that he thinks Phelps – who has won a record 14 Olympic golds overall – will persevere and compete in 2012.
Phelps has not admitted to smoking marijuana but also did not deny the authenticity of the photograph, taken during a party last November at the University of South Carolina. When asked by the Baltimore Sun whether he regularly smoked the illegal drug, Phelps said he did not. "This was stupid, and I know this won't happen again," Phelps said. "It's obviously bad judgment, and it's something I'm not proud of at all.
"I will say that with the mistakes that I've made in my life, I've learned from them. Every one of them. And I've become a better person. That's what I plan to do from here."
Swimming's governing body, Fina, announced yesterday that it had accepted an apology from Phelps, and the majority of his sponsors have vowed to stand by him. However, Sheriff Leon Lott, of Richland County, South Carolina, has said he will press charges against Phelps if he can prove the swimmer smoked marijuana in his jurisdiction. Marijuana possession there is punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
"There are always people you can't trust," Phelps said. "During the whole thing, I've really been able to see who my friends are, who my family are, and who really loves and supports me.
"They've stood by my side, from the countless text messages, phone messages, emails, those are your friends. All those people who are around during the good times? Those aren't your friends."