Michael Phelps apologizes for 'bad judgment'

Last update: February 2, 2009 - 5:46 AM

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Olympic great Michael Phelps apologized after a photo Sunday in the British tabloid News of the World showed him inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps, the winner of a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, said in a statement released by his agent. "... I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

The picture was taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina three months after the Olympics.

The U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Swimming both expressed disappointment. The case is unlikely to fall under any doping rules, but Phelps' action could alienate some of his commercial sponsors. ASSOCIATED PRESS