Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Phelps' Toke Shouldn't Cause Such a Splash

He goes to great lengths to win, and it's the same with relaxing; embarrassment is punishment enough

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2009 10:20 AM CST

(Newser) – Michael Phelps’ reputation shouldn't go up in smoke just because he was caught indulging in a drug an estimated 42% of Americans have tried, Sally Jenkins writes in the Washington Post. Phelps, like most great athletes, is a creature of extremes, and nobody should be surprised that when he breaks training, he really goes for it.

Swimming authorities won’t be censuring Phelps, Jenkins notes, and corporate sponsors shouldn’t penalize him for failing to live up to superhuman ideals. “All he did was behave in an unmeasured and uncalculated way and suffer the bad luck to be photographed doing it,” Jenkins writes. “He’s already enjoying a fitting punishment: public embarrassment for failing to live up to his commercial pretensions.”

Sponsor Kellogg's is seeing the kind of extremes champions like Michael Phelps can go to, Jenkins writes.
Sponsor Kellogg's is seeing the kind of extremes champions like Michael Phelps can go to, Jenkins writes.   (Kellogg Co.)
In this Aug. 16, 2008, photo, Michael Phelps reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Beijing Olympics.
In this Aug. 16, 2008, photo, Michael Phelps reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Beijing Olympics.   (AP Photo)
US Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps reacts after hitting his knee on the table during a press conference at the 3rd Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009.
US Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps reacts after hitting his knee on the table during a press conference at the 3rd Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

It's absurd to expect Phelps to maintain his brand of physical and mental discipline 24-7, while the rest of us privately anesthetize to our hearts' content. - Sally Jenkins

Being a champion is frankly not the most healthful career to aspire to; it's an abnormally stressful one. - Sally Jenkins

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Guest
Feb 3, 2009 10:17 PM CST
He won how many gold medals? Hmmm, and all while being a person who enjoys some marijuana. All those anti-marijuana ads out the window. Better spend some tax payers money bullying truly innocent citizens and fighting a pointless war on the drug marijuana. ~"And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I am FREE"~ LMAO
atris999
Feb 3, 2009 8:03 PM CST
THANK YOU!!!!!
Snowleopard
Feb 3, 2009 2:48 AM CST
The only thing that this story illustrates is that Pot is not an evil, dangerous drug and should be decriminalized. Even olympic athletes can do it and still succeed. It's time to end the prohibition.

More Newser Stories

UK Tabloid Says It Caught Phelps With Bong

Phelps Hides From Paps— at Strip Joints

We May Never Know Who Took the Pot Pic

Phelps Suspended; Kellogg Won't Renew Deal

Phelps Not Sure If He'll Swim in 2012 Olympics


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne