Michael Phelps Says He Made 'A Stupid Mistake'

Michael Phelps Grants First TV Interview
Copyright 2009 Bryan Bedder Amy Sussman / Getty Images
Olympic swimming champ Michael Phelps opens up to NBC News' Matt Lauer in his first TV interview since the controversial photo surfaced of Phelps allegedly smoking from a bong.

“It was an awful judgment. And, really, the people I hurt is my family, clearly, my friends, the close people around me and most importantly, the fans. And I realize that that hurt a lot of people,” Phelps tells Lauer in the interview, which airs Friday morning on the “Today” show and Sunday on “Dateline.”

Lauer goes on to ask Phelps if he was smoking pot, and according to “Today,” Phelps says: “It was a bad mistake. I mean, we all know what you and I are talking about. It's a stupid mistake. You know, bad judgment. And it's something that I have to, and I want to teach other people not to make that mistake.”

A South Carolina sheriff says he will not charge Phelps after an investigation stemming from the controversial photo.

Published 3/12/09 by the Insider

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