Michael Phelps Acknowledges ‘Inappropriate’ Photo

First Published: February 1, 2009 2:29 PM EST Credit: Sarah Feldberg/Palms Casino Resort

TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Caption Olympian Michael Phelps says goodbye to his golden 2008 at The Palms Casino ResortOlympic great Michael Phelps has acknowledged “regrettable” behavior and “bad judgment” after a photo in a British newspaper showed him smoking marijuana.

In a statement released to The Associated Press, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games conceded the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Sunday by the tabloid News of the World.

Phelps said: “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. 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. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

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