Comments on: Drugs and Sports: A Recipe for Success?

By: Steve Verdon

Steve Verdon — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:09:50 +0000

It may explain his diet though.

Heh, maybe, but I doubt it. I've seen many kids who swim. From ages 5 on up, and one thing seems to be the case, they all eat staggering amounts of food. I somehow doubt they are all pot smokers.

By: Grewgills

Grewgills — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:43:38 +0000

It is ridiculous that it is illegal and that so many seem to be getting their panties in a twist about it.
It may explain his diet though.

By: RWW

RWW — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:54:30 +0000

I’d agree, except that Phelps is engaged in illegal conduct. Granted, conduct that shouldn’t be illegal, but still.

Still what? Is it wrong because it's illegal?

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:55:51 +0000

I'm suddenly reminded of an image of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger smoking a joint after his Mr. Olympia win in South Africa 1975 as documented in "Pumping Iron."

This is the best of both worlds. A politician AND an athlete smoking pot.

By: jimT

jimT — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:49:21 +0000

Imagine the shock and horror if a picture was found of Babe Ruth holding a beer can in 1922.
This is exactly the same....

By: Radley Balko

Radley Balko — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:49:20 +0000

That's not exactly what I argued. The "sacrifice" part was more about the hypocrisy of trashing athletes who smoke pot because pot is bad for you. We don't care about athletes' health. If we did, we wouldn't patronize half the sports we do. Michael Phelps doesn't "deserve" to get high, any more than our last three former pot-smoking presidents do. He does deserve to be left the hell alone, and he deserves to have a private life.

By: Triumph

Triumph — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:00:57 +0000

Are we to conclude that illicit drugs are the route to athletic achievement?

How long has Phelps been a stoner? Perhaps he started to party AFTER he got the gold?!?