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 Michael Phelps: Gets support from Olympic team mates
Record-breaking American swimmer Michael Phelps' Olympic teammates are defending the swimmer in light of controversial photos showing him smoking a marijuana pipe.
"This in no way, shape or form diminishes anything he's done," Dara Torres told the Associated Press Sunday.
"It's sort of a double-edged sword," Torres added. "When you're recognizable, you're looked up to as a role model. He is recognizable, and everything you do gets looked at and picked apart. I guess that's the price of winning 14 Olympic medals."
Jason Lezak -- a member of the 400-meter freestyle relay team that helped Phelps win another gold medal to break Mark Spitz's record -- said he was "saddened" to hear about the photos.
"While I don't condone his conduct, I am a teammate and fan," Lezak told the AP in a text message. "Unlike many fair-weather people, I am sticking by him. If my wife and I can help him in any way, we will. I believe he will grow from this and be better person, role model and teammate."
(The U.S Olympic Committee was less forgiving: "We are disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps ," they said in statement Sunday.)
Michael Phelps released an apology to the AP Sunday admitting he "engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment." The photos were taken at a University of South Carolina party last November -- just three months after his gold medal sweep in Beijing.
"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," he added. "For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."
The swimmer was in Tampa, Florida to attend the Super Bowl on behalf of a sponsor, but left before the game once the news broke, the AP reported. The photos could jeopardize Phelps' endorsement deals, which ABC News has estimated to be worth $100 million over the course of his lifetime.
Marijuana is also forbidden under World Anti-Doping Agency rules. Athletes caught using drugs could face a two-year ban from the Olympics.
This isn't the first time Phelps has had to apologize for his behavior. In 2004 -- the same year he won six gold and two bronze medals in Athens -- he was sentenced to 18 months probation for drunk driving at age 19.
Are Michael Phelps' teammates being too easy on him?
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