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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Phelps Not Sure If He'll Swim in 2012 Olympics

Swimmer struggling with fallout from 'stupid' bong encounter

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(Newser) – Michael Phelps is weighing whether to compete at the 2012 Olympics in the wake of fallout over his much-publicized encounter with a bong, he tells his hometown paper, the Baltimore Sun. Phelps still has goals to achieve in the sport and will talk his decision over with his family and coach, says the swimmer, but he "clearly made a mistake" and has been deeply embarrassed by it.

Phelps—who has been dogged by paparazzi over the past week and people shouting at his house through megaphones early in the morning—says returning to regular training has helped restore some calm to his life. "In the pool I'm back to my routine, the thing I love, the thing I care about most," he said. 

Michael Phelps walks to his vehicle after leaving the North Baltimore Aquatic Club yesterday.
Michael Phelps walks to his vehicle after leaving the North Baltimore Aquatic Club yesterday.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps leaves the North Baltimore Aquatic Club yesterday.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps leaves the North Baltimore Aquatic Club yesterday.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
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This is a decision of mine that I'm not going to make today and I'm not going to make tomorrow. It's going to require a lot of time and energy and a lot of thinking for myself.
- Michael Phelps on whether he'll compete in the 2012 London Olympics

This was stupid, and I know this won't happen again. 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. - Michael Phelps

Nobody's perfect. But for Michael to go through our trials, our training camp, and then the Olympics, which is unbelievably stressful, without any down time, that's hard. Still, it's not an excuse. - Coach Bob Bowman

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8 comments
VIEWING:
 
veloslug
Feb 5, 09 7:16 AM CST
Relax man. Take a hit and think about it all tomorrow. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mr.C
Feb 5, 09 8:54 AM CST
thats kinda where he is now
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sadtimes
Feb 5, 09 9:07 AM CST
The guy has got to swim, forget about the bong rips, he's the best swimmer in the world. If he can rip the bong and still take gold, more power to him. Just try to keep the cameras out of the room next time you get stoned. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Feb 5, 09 11:04 AM CST
Well that's a no shitter... How stupid to break training - in admittedly a big way - with camera's in the room! Shoulda taken the bong and a pretty girl to a back room and indulged
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VinDeezy
Feb 5, 09 2:07 PM CST
This bull. Not like he's taking performance enhancing drugs! He'll be at the Olympics he's worth way too much to the U.S. noth Gold and Green $$ Reply
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