Inquisition on Phelps Must End, Some Students Say

February 11, 2009 by James E. Donaldson

Michael Phelps has won 14 career Olympic Gold Medals, the most by any Olympian. He can be considered the most physically gifted swimmer of all-time.
 
A British newspaper showed a picture of Phelps holding and inhaling from a marijuana bong. Immediately Phelps apologized and admitted that he regrettably and was using "bad judgment."
 
"The media frenzy over Michael Phelps and that picture of him smoking [marijuana] from a pipe needs to end," said Columbus State Student Jeremy Marx. "It’s horrible that such a talented, word-class athlete is losing some sponsorship because of commit a victimless crime."
 
Other Columbus State students agreed with Marx.
 
"You can barely even see that it’s him in the picture. He could have easily denied it. If he looses any sponsorship I would just feel bad from him," says Eric Groseclose, a student at Columbus State.
 
Phelps has many sponsors, yet so far only Kellog’s is the corporation that has dropped him. After this debacle occurred, Phelps said that he called each one of his sponsors to apologize. Kellog's was the only one to not return his phone calls.
 
"Many of us students have messed up in our lives," said Groseclose. "The guy is only 23. Imagine if your world was examined on a day-to-day basis and the skeletons they would find in your closet."
 
At 23 years old, many would agree that Phelps deserves a second chance. The fact that he got caught doing a popular drug that could be legalized in many students’ lifetimes also helps by not destroying his public image instantly.
 
"He got caught smoking [marijuana]," said Marx. "So what? While I do not partake in [marijuana], I would estimate that almost all of my friends do. And they are not losers by any definition of the word. Some of them are straight A students and some of them hold very important jobs."
 
According to the 2007 Monitoring the Future Survey, a national U. S. Survey that inquires about drug usage from 8th to 12th graders, a little under half of overall high schoolers have tried marijuana.
 
Phelps and those around him are most certainly sorry. The U.S. Olympic Committee released a statement in response to Phelps' apology Sunday.
 
"We are disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps," the statement said. "Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people. In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities.
 
"Before we crucify Michael Phelps on a cross made of marijuana pipes, we should sit back and look at our own lives, as young people," stated Marx. "He is one of the greatest athletes of our time and I am proud to say that he represents America. Before we try to judge him lets look at our lives and ask ourselves if there is anything we would prefer the public didn’t know of us."