A little more detail....

[radrluv69]

This from Yahoo! news regarding The marijuana pipe picture...quotes from Dara Torres and Jason Lezak. It also confirms that Phelps left Tampa before today, so we will not be seeing him @ the Superbowl tonight

Comments

[31carolinagirl]

The Washington Post put up an article with a few more details: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/01/AR2009020101022.html?hpid=topnews

Apparently the only ramifications will come from his fan base:

"Phelps learned of the newspaper's intention to publish the photo late last week, according to a source close to Phelps. He is "in discussion" with his sponsors, the source said, and all have "expressed support." The source also noted that Phelps faces no positive test or drug ban for the marijuana use."

[b_poindexter]

On the other hand, very negative article from TimesOnline:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article5634206.ece

Do Brits sort of hate Phelps or what?

[meowbunnymeow]

The Times and News of the World (that's the Sunday paper for the Sun) are from the same media group, News Corp.

It's the same, but more posh and written in better language. Less focus on gossipy/celeb news.

[dublincat]

do these paper belong to murdoch ,

[dublincat]

i think now he needs to speak up and excuse himself insead of a statement to ap

[radrluv69]

I think he'll be doing a TV interview with either Lauer or Costas before too long. People are emotional right now, so it's not the right time.

[meowbunnymeow]

Sorry but I think the statement is absolute crap. Too short and not sincere enough. Don't forget he has done it once in 2004, apologized, regrettable and promised not happen again. Although it's a different matter but I am not sure of the general public (that is, if they care to, many responses online seem not mind about it) would forgive again that easily.

Due to Holly's decision, I am not going to talk about the actual paper here. I've posted an entry in my journal and made it public for anyone who wants to know a little more the fuzz about it.

According to the AP article, less than half of it is about the statement and then the rest is about the way they handle last time etc. Someone please show us the original fax from Octagon.

[radrluv69]

But what other choice does he have right now? People are angry and emotional, demanding answers. Giving a full-fledged interview or press conference right now would be a mistake, because people need a chance to simmer down, and he's got amends to make his his family and his coach right now, which *should* be the most important thing to him instead of the cold verbage of a public statement. If he says *nothing*, then he looks like an even bigger asshole because he let himself get caught on film.

And as far as Octagon goes, we may not know for a very long time what happened in their dealings with the paper. The paper maybe telling the truth in respect to Octagon, or it could be a total farce. I just found it interesting that they were naming someone from Octagon other than Carlisle. That's just weird.

[meowbunnymeow]

Of course he has got say something, but something more sincere than a copy and paste statement. And I believe he's started amendments to his loved ones days ago, also this (writing statement) should be Octagon/PR's job, with MFP's prove read.

[radrluv69]

I don't think it was *that* long ago. Remember, he was a no-show for Superbowl events starting Friday. It's only Sunday. I would think it's still a bit raw right now, especially since today it's just gone national.