Mark Spitz: "I Feel Badly for Michael Phelps"

Us Magazine - February 2, 2009 3:28 PM PST
Story photo: Mark Spitz: Us Magazine
The Olympian whose gold medal world record was smashed by Michael Phelps has opened up to Usmagazine.com following Phelps' controversial pot pics.

"As strictly a fan, I feel badly for Michael and the situation he has put himself in," Mark Spitz tells Us exclusively. "I think no one would wish this on anyone, especially the person that gave us a summer like no other in 2008."

See what other Olympic teammates have to say about the Phelps controversy.

"I hope this only leads to a better tomorrow for him and his family," Spitz adds.

Phelps won eight gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, breaking Spitz's long-standing record of seven golds in the 1972 Munich games.

Look back at Phelps' most amazing Olympic moments.

On Sunday, Phelps released a statement apologizing for his "regrettable" behavior in the photo, taken during a November house party while Phelps was visiting the University of South Carolina.

"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," he said. "For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again."

Take a look at the biggest celeb scandals of last year.

Ashton Kutcher defended him on Monday.

"God forbid he hit a bong," Kutcher wrote on Twitter. "Go ask your 20-year-old kid what they did last weekend.

Check out today's celebrity news photos.

"I'm not saying it was a smart move. But he doesn't need to be publicly outed for it," Kutcher went on.


More news from Usmagazine.com

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comments 1-10 of 56  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • BAD
    He's a dumb kids who was always overlooked until now. Now he's having some fun...big deal, he's a human!
    report abuseposted February 6, 2009 7:48 AM PST
  • he is a young man growing up leave him along.
    report abuseposted February 5, 2009 12:02 PM PST
  • Saphivirgo
    Whatever. He is old news ro me now. Yeah, he's human and he a dumb move but no one care as much if he was just a random Joe. If he wasn't a celeb no one would give four flying ----- at a fourth of july fish fry.
    report abuseposted February 4, 2009 4:50 AM PST
  • Sir Charles
    For all you purists, humanists, spiritualists, realists, whatever, here's a little something you all may not have considered. This may well be a publicity stunt by our aquatic hero to rid himself a bit of that angelic edge assigned to him by a populace of drones desperate to have their pathetic lives saved from over indulgence and mediocrity. Stupid decision yes, thank GOD, he
    report abuseposted February 3, 2009 11:53 PM PST
  • pine nut
    phelps with ur magnificient lungs god gave u to be able to swim like u do so what do u do inhale that crap in to them...smokers in the same boat suck that tar in to yer lungs they will never be pink again..how sad..grow up & yes i am the reformed smoker i see we r the worst i admit it but i also have pink lungs..thank u god
    report abuseposted February 3, 2009 2:09 PM PST
  • pine nut
    kutcher u r as dumb as phelps the bong is prob the reason u have yet to impregnate demi...ur sperm is weak lay of the crap just b/c everyone does it does not make it right...we have a meth head son who started on weed he is a mess today drugs kill.......get high on life not drugs..shame on phelps he needs a ass kicking he is too big 4 his britches
    report abuseposted February 3, 2009 2:07 PM PST
  • u go MP
    He is human, poor guy. So who is to judge who. Take a look at yourselves. I'm sure you and anyone else has a skeliton in their closet. So shame on you. You know with what the world is coming to, economy, political scandal, there are worst things you all have done.l
    report abuseposted February 3, 2009 10:21 AM PST
  • momsongster
    I LOVE YOU MICHAEL, YOU MADE ME PROUD. MANY BLESSINGS!!! People get over yourselves...person who took photo (which I have not seen) what a huge jack@$$ you are...
    report abuseposted February 3, 2009 9:42 AM PST
  • William
    Smooth move stupid ass.. All that endosement $$$ flushed. He better spin this around asap. Who won the 50-meter freestyle in 2000? That's right, spin it!!!!
    report abuseposted February 3, 2009 9:35 AM PST
  • Robin S
    Why was my comment deleted? Do bible quotes qualify as abusive? Is it abuse to point out that some public officials have recently been caught cheating on their taxes or that some financial executive have been caught stealing from their clients? I wonder who sees the greater offenders.
    report abuseposted February 3, 2009 9:18 AM PST
comments 1-10 of 56  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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