Olympic star under media grills

Paparazzi make their living feeding off other people’s gossip and public displays of celebrity meltdowns. Their latest victim is a career 14 time Olympic gold medalist, 23 year old Michael PhelpsMichael Phelps. Apparently it has become a tradition, whoever is making big bucks or excelling higher than their competition; they are bound to end up into some negative lime light. Phelps, however being caught in an awkward position, has been smeared by bad press left right and centre for one reason only . . . displaying the fact that he is a human being like every one else and is entitled to enjoy his life. The swimming sensation has been pictured sniffing off a bong at some college after party, which was caught by some party rejects.

Being caught in such a position has its fair share of drama involved. For starters, Leon Lott, the Sheriff at the South Carolina Police department wants Phelps to arrested, considering his previous offence of drunk driving. Under the Richland county law, possession of Marijuana (as Sheriff Lott seems convinced Phelps was under its influence) is a misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a flat $570 fine, plus court expenses. Sheriff is confident that a picture like this is a clear case and proving that the crime did occur becomes irrefutable in the court of law.

On the other hand Phelps made a public apology realizing that he shoulders the responsibility of being a famous figure that aspiring athletes look up to. Normally in such a case sponsors are the first ones to bail out on a celebrity but this may probably be one of those rare cases where good public relations and the support of strong brands like Speedo, omega and Kellogg’s may carve an escape route for Phelps. Only time will tell whether or not Michael is able to escape this media net. But for the time being journalists and other media people should acknowledge the fact that Phelps is one of those once in a millennium athletes who has earned enough right to give his side of the story before people start throwing dirt at them.