Michael Phelps Regrets ROOR Bong Weed Tokin’

After NOTW broke the Michael Phelps marijuana smoking story (complete with the pic above,) the entire internet and world responded with shock and disbelief, some even branding the photo a fake.

On Sunday morning, however, all rumors were put to rest after a statement was released, in which Phelps admits “regrettable behavior” exhibited at a house party back in November while visiting friends at the University of South Carolina. The story goes, a very drunken and reverent Phelps, in town partying with his female lover, was offered, and happily accepted the “ROOR” brand glass bong, then ripped it generously, drawing a monster toke of the marijuana packed inside. I guess none of this would’ve mattered much, if only the dumb ass had stopped partygoers from snapping pics of the act.

In a statement released Sunday, the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games did not dispute the authenticity of the exclusive picture published Saturday by the tabloid News of the World. “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” Phelps said in the statement released by one of his agents. “I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

As if smoking a bit of weed is such a terrible thing, we certainly wouldn’t judge Mr. Phelps based upon his choice to have some fun, and live carefree once in awhile. He might wanna’ give Mischa Barton a call sometime! One thin is certain–whoever snapped the pics and sold this story definitely has a sneaky mind! Here’s more from News Of The World:

It was on November 6, weeks after his Beijing triumph, that 23-year-old Phelps surprised students at the University Of South Carolina in Columbia by showing up unannounced at a house party. He was visiting Jordan Matthews, a girl he was secretly seeing who was a student there.

Our source revealed: “Michael came to visit Jordan but ended up just getting wasted every night. “Every girl wanted a piece of him and every guy wanted to be his best buddy. He couldn’t get enough of all the attention.” As he basked in his hero status, Phelps knocked back beers and shots of spirits. And when a student offered him the glass bong engraved with red writing, he did not hesitate, says our source.