Phelps apologizes for smoking dope, letting down fans

NEW YORK: Record-breaking Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps issued an apology on Sunday after a British newspaper published a photograph purportedly showing him smoking marijuana.

But that might not be enough for some sports officials and fans who claim he has tainted his image as a role model.

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps, the winner of eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, said in a statement in response to the News of the World photograph.