coconut_monkee
Member
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3/19/2009 3:20:00 PM
^the photo didn't need to be taken in the opinion of some, but it was. Opportunity knocks when you open yourself to questionable circumstances, I suppose.
I think he's equally idiotic as the person snapping the pic, to be honest. He has a history of winning throughout his life, so he will come out on top eventually somehow.
Look at the laundry list of accolades he has, proof enough that bong or no bong, the man is talented, and dedicated, aspects crucial to sports in general. However, with success, comes the knowledge that people will try to knock you down as much as possible, just because.
How many dumb, yet talented athletes(enter mr nate newton, Michael Irwin, Diego Maradonna, Ronaldo, Theo Fleury, Patrick Roy, TO, Randy Moss, Warren Moon, Mike Tyson, etc) does it take to make examples of?
Tone down you lifestyle a knotch, idiots. You're not an unknown person who is insignificant anymore.
The fact that it was an olympic athlete, where there is a fairly strong anti-drug message / policy, makes his actions even more idiotic.
Add the fact that he was sponsored by a predominantly child-marketed cereal post-olympics specifically due to his olympic success, well, recipie for disaster.
He's an adult who should've known better. Keep your personal life, well, personal, not public.
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_pixie_
Oldschool CVer
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3/19/2009 9:30:00 PM
He is human, and we all make mistakes. It's a shame his became so public, as he is a very talented athlete and a role model to young kids.
I think people need to be able to forgive. Obviously he has felt the repercussions of what he did, I think it's time to move on.
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coconut_monkee
Member
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3/19/2009 10:47:00 PM
oh, no problem moving on... like I said earlier. He has a history of winning throughout his life, so he will come out on top eventually somehow. .
I'm just at ends with people almost condoning his mistake, like it was an accident or something (ie innocent hand gestures that mean something obscene in other cultures). Bong hits are not mistakes, imho. Theres a solid line, legally for all of us, and for me, ethically. Black/ White. Simple, really.
He suffered his punishment:
- Min 3 mths ban from Swim USA
- Sponsorship deal w/ Kellogg terminated
- An internet photo he admitted to, in bad judgement, that will live on as long as digital media allows.
He'll make another SNL appearance in 1 yrs time, after his ban, and will do parodies on this incident. Only a matter of time.
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