USOC Responds to Phelps' Apology

USOC February 01, 2009


February 1, 2009

U.S. Olympic Committee Statement Regarding Michael Phelps

We are disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps.

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.

Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions.

We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion.

Rate It

Signin to rank content.

Comments

Comments RSS

  1. On February 02, 2009 Terry Yan wrote

    Everybody makes mistakes. He is still my hero. But I will have hard time to explain all this to my daughter of 11 yr young swimmer.

  2. On February 02, 2009 Janet Breiter wrote

    This is the second time Phelps has "made a mistake". Where do you decide to draw the line? My daughter is 13 and swims 3 hours a day. She hears this story and sees there is no consequence for his actions what is she suppose to believe? We teach our kids that taking drugs is wrong, awarding another gold medal to this guy makes it hard for them to believe that. If another less known athlete did this he/she would be treated differently. Have some guts and come down on this guy. I cheered when he won, it will be an embarrassment when he's punished BUT YOU MUST DO SOMETHING its not right to let this pass.

  3. On February 02, 2009 Kimberly Krebs wrote

    My 10 year old daughter has been swimming since she was 6 months old. We watched as Michael entered in his first Olympics at such a young age and at that moment, my daughter insisted she was going to do the same thing. She has worked hard and has given up a lot "to be like Mike". She has competed in many swim meets to achieve metals and ribbons from first to last to nothing all in her hopes to make it to the 2016 Olympics. This year she will be going to Zones for the first time and looks at that as being one step closer. She idolizes swimmers and Michael was on the top. I (as a mom and one time 23 year old) know that life is meant to have fun, however, Michael should have realized that part of his life would have to be put on hold because he is/was such an infulance in the swimming world. I let it slide when he got the underage ticket but this is unacceptable and I don't know what is worse, him doing it, my daughter looking so disapointed or the USOC not doing anything because "he appolo****ed". Even though it is in the rule book anyone caught doing drugs would be banished from the next Olympics. Harsh? Maybe. Banning him? Maybe not. But at least pulling him from some meets or putting him on a probation would be a good example. I am just glad my daughter got meet and spend time with Josh Davis because to her he is a real role model.

  4. On February 02, 2009 Duane Hodge wrote

    Dump him, get rid of him, he doesn't compete again!

In order to comment you must be signed in.

Not a member? Register Now.