02-02-2009, 04:19 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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IOC & Key Sponsors Back Phelps...
Nice.
Omega nailed it.
Quote:
Key sponsors back Phelps after marijuana photo
MANCHESTER, England – Two of Michael Phelps' leading sponsors expressed support for the Olympic great Monday, a day after he apologized for being photographed in a British newspaper inhaling from a marijuana pipe. Luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega termed Phelps' actions a private matter and "nonissue." Swim wear manufacturer Speedo called the 23-year-old American a "valued member of the Speedo team."
Phelps acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after the photo appeared Sunday in the tabloid News of the World.
Speedo gave Phelps a $1 million bonus for his record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. Phelps joined Speedo in 2001, a year after making his Olympic debut in Sydney. He dominated the Beijing Games in the company's high-tech LZR Racer suit.
"In light of Michael Phelps' statement yesterday, Speedo would like to make it clear that it does not condone such behavior and we know that Michael truly regrets his actions," Speedo, which is based in Nottingham, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
"Michael Phelps is a valued member of the Speedo team and a great champion. We will do all that we can to support him and his family."
Omega said it was "strongly committed" to its relationship with Phelps, calling his Beijing accomplishments "among the defining sporting achievements in the history of sport."
"The current story in the press involves Michael Phelps' private life and is, as far as Omega is concerned, a nonissue," the company said.
The News of the World said the picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina. Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, an athlete is subject to sanctions only for a positive test during competition periods.
"Michael Phelps is a great Olympic champion," the International Olympic Committee said in a statement to the AP. "He apologized for his inappropriate behavior. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity and his commitment to continue to act as a role model."
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Key sponsors back Phelps after marijuana photo - Yahoo! News
IOC
Quote:
IOC backs Phelps over 'pot pipe'
The International Olympic Committee has accepted an apology from US swimmer Michael Phelps, photographed with a kind of pipe used for smoking cannabis.
The IOC said it had no reason to doubt Phelps's sincerity or commitment to acting as a role model.
The Olympic star has apologised for his "regrettable behaviour", but did not say whether he had taken drugs.
A British paper said the picture was taken three months after he won eight gold medals at last year's Olympics.
The 23-year-old was caught on camera inhaling from a type of glass pipe which can be used for smoking cannabis.
The photo, which appeared in Britain's News of the World newspaper, was said to have been taken at a student party last November when Phelps was on a long break from training.
His actions should have no impact on the medals he won at Beijing, as smoking cannabis out of competition is not an offence under sport's international doping laws.
But the mistake could still prove costly as Phelps is a high-profile athlete with lucrative sponsorship deals, says BBC sports reporter Alex Capstick.
Negative publicity could damage those contracts, he adds.
Phelps, the most successful Olympian of all time, has also escaped punishment by the United States Olympic Committee.
US officials said the news was disappointing but they expected him to move on and to set the type of example expected from a great Olympic champion.
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BBC NEWS | World | Americas | IOC backs Phelps over 'pot pipe'
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Last edited by AlteredStateGrl; 02-02-2009 at 04:25 PM.
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