Michael Phelps In Pot-Smoking Scandal

The Picture That Could Ruin Michael Phelps

 

Over last summer, he became a international sensation.

Now, he is on the verge of becoming a disgraced idiot.

Michael Phelps, who reached hero status after taking home eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August, has been caught smoking out of an alleged marijiuana bong. The picture ran in Britain's News of the World this weekend.

The scandal could wreck not only his image, but his career. The Olympic Committee recently enacted a four-year ban on athletes who are caught using drugs. If he was banned, he would be unable to perform at the 2012 Olympics in London, where he was hoping to add to his amazing 14 gold medals.

Phelps has already sent out an apology through the Associated Press: "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

There has been no word yet from his coach or the US Olympic Committee, who will make the final decision on his ability to participated in the next Olympic Games.

As a fan of Phelps, I really do hope that he doesn't get pulled from the Games. It seems like such a stupid reason to be cut.

A lesson to the kids: Do pot, and you'll go from hero to zero in a matter of minutes.