Roll your eyes and fake a gasp as the ‘news’ that Michael Phelps smokes marijuana has broken. The real reality of the news is that this photo of Phelps using a bong could lead to a ban from the next Olympic games.

Laws for the games ban competitiors for 4 years for any kind of drug use. The 2012 London hosted Olympics was said to be Michael’s last swim for the gold medal. If the committee and heads of the sporting games find this suffient proof of his drug use, it could be over for Phelps. The US Olympics Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency and his coach, Bob Bowman all refused to comment at this time. According to News of the World a Phelps spokesman, Clifford Bloxham, however did.

Via News of the World:

“Spokesman Clifford Bloxham offered us an extraordinary deal not to publish our story, saying Phelps would become our columnist for three years, host events and get his sponsors to advertise with us.

In return, he asked that we kill Phelps’ bong picture. Bloxham said: “It’s seeing if something potentially very negative for Michael could turn into something very positive for the News of the World.”’

Friends and family are reportedly worried about the record smashing swimmer beyond his gold medal dreams. He has been “spinning out of control” and “partying” constantly. The photo above is said to have been taken at a party at the University Of South Carolina. Stunned party goers wear not only impressed that a celebrity had walked into their party, but how well he could drink and smoke.

“You could tell Michael had smoked before. He grabbed the bong and a lighter and knew exactly what to do. He looked just as natural with a bong in his hands as he does swimming in the pool. He was the gold medal winner of bong hits. Michael ended up getting a little paranoid, though, because before too long he looked like he was nervous and ran out of the place.”

This isn’t the first time he has found himself in trouble with booze. In 2004 after his Olympic success he was caught drinking under the influence at a youthful 19 years old.

Such a waste, but really…do you think over 6 feet of butterface with gobs of cash in his 20’s is going to sit at home and host canasta tournaments?