[mlizzy]

If that person hadn't snapped that candid pic of Phelps smoking pot, YOU would never in a million years think that Phelps' life reflected that of someone "dull" and slowed-down. A dull, slowed-down person doesn't win 22 Olympic medals. So either you're badly mistaken, or Phelps was smoking parsley instead of pot.

Did Phelps state he was a long-time pot smoker? I figured he smoked just here and there to slow himself down, because there was no s-l-o-w in his life. Swim, swim, swim, practice, swim. He also ate an enormous amount of junk food. If he would have taken better care of himself (however, I realize that much good food would have cost a fortune), and not put any smoke into his lungs, he might even have more Olympic medals.

[Finny]

I admit I have a little insight most folks don't have on the competitive swimming community, including the immense amount of focus, solitude, self-discipline and sheer physical strength both aerobically and muscularly, that it requires in ways that other sports do not. Phelps is not the only elite, world-class swimmer who smoked pot; I know of one who admitted to smoking pot to increase his focus during workouts, though he said he only did it for a little while. I'm sure he wasn't alone!!! {^)

Judging by Phelps' er ... "comfort level" and familiarity with a bong as shown in the candid photo that got him into such hot water (!!), I would guess that yes, he'd been smoking pot for some time, but perhaps he was new to it.

I swim quite a lot myself and can consume vast quantities of junk food and get away with it only because I swim.

The most likely explanation is that physically and mentally, moderate pot use is exactly comparable to moderate alcohol consumption, and I think Phelps offers pretty strong confirmation of it. I mean, come on -- winning more Olympic medals than any athlete in history isn't enough for you?