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| No charges for US swimmer Phelps | No charges for US swimmer Phelps |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| US swimmer Michael Phelps will not face charges over a photograph apparently showing him smoking cannabis, a South Carolina sheriff has said. | US swimmer Michael Phelps will not face charges over a photograph apparently showing him smoking cannabis, a South Carolina sheriff has said. |
| Phelps, 23, was suspended for three months by USA Swimming after an image of him inhaling from a glass pipe at a party in South Carolina was published. | Phelps, 23, was suspended for three months by USA Swimming after an image of him inhaling from a glass pipe at a party in South Carolina was published. |
| Phelps said he was glad the matter was over and he would learn from his error. | |
| A British paper said the picture was taken three months after he won eight gold medals at last year's Olympics. | A British paper said the picture was taken three months after he won eight gold medals at last year's Olympics. |
| Phelps has not said whether he was using drugs. | |
| Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told the Associated Press that although he was not going to press charges, the authorities had had to investigate after the image was released. | Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told the Associated Press that although he was not going to press charges, the authorities had had to investigate after the image was released. |
| "Michael Phelps is truly an American hero... but even with his star status, he is still obliged to obey the laws of our state," he said. | "Michael Phelps is truly an American hero... but even with his star status, he is still obliged to obey the laws of our state," he said. |
| I will move forward and dive back into the pool, having put this whole thing behind me Michael Phelps | |
| The sheriff said there had not been sufficient evidence to charge him based on the photograph from the party, held near the University of South Carolina in November. | |
| He said: "We had a photo and him saying he was sorry for inappropriate behaviour. He never said, 'I smoked marijuana.' We didn't have physical evidence." | He said: "We had a photo and him saying he was sorry for inappropriate behaviour. He never said, 'I smoked marijuana.' We didn't have physical evidence." |
| In a statement released after the sheriff's decision, Phelps said: "I'm glad this matter is put to rest. But there are also some important lessons that I've learned. | |
| "For me, it's all about recognising that I used bad judgement and it's a mistake I won't make again. For young people especially - be careful about the decisions you make." | |
| Phelps said he appreciated the support shown to him by his family and fans. | |
| "I will move forward and dive back into the pool, having put this whole thing behind me." | |
| USA Swimming, the national swimming federation, banned Phelps from competitive swimming for three months, although he has never tested positive for banned substances. | |
| The International Olympic Committee accepted an apology from him, saying it had no reason to doubt his sincerity or his commitment to being a role model. | The International Olympic Committee accepted an apology from him, saying it had no reason to doubt his sincerity or his commitment to being a role model. |
| The swimmer has, however, lost the backing of cereal maker Kellogg, with the firm saying it would not renew its sponsorship deal with him when it comes to an end. | The swimmer has, however, lost the backing of cereal maker Kellogg, with the firm saying it would not renew its sponsorship deal with him when it comes to an end. |