Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was caught smoking weed and now we, being the gossip-hungry country that we are, have decided to make him front-page news for everyone to see.

Phelps, arguably the best Olympic swimmer yet, was photographed smoking marijuana out of a water pipe, or bong, at the University of Southern Carolina in Columbia.

Phelps has apologized and publicly shown remorse for his decisions.

“I’m 23 years old, and despite the successes I have had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public – it will not happen again,” Phelps said in a statement released by Octagon, his management firm.

Phelps should not have to apologize for what he does when he isn’t swimming, especially when it is something so harmless. However, being a known figure, his statement was considerate and unavoidable. Unfortunately, it was not enough for some.

USA Swimming suspended Phelps from competition for three months and Kellogg discontinued sponsoring Phelps.

“Michael’s most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg,” company spokeswoman Susanne Norwitz said in a statement, according to The New York Times.

However, in the Times article, Paul Armentano, deputy director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the rules and image that Kellogg’s is working to uphold are outdated.

Kellogg’s is enforcing its rules too hard and not adjusting with the times. If the company plans to sponsor young athletes, it should realize that times are constantly changing. Marijuana use is not indicative of criminal or even irresponsible behaviors.

In the article, sponsors such as Swiss watchmaker Omega have even deemed this “a non-issue.”

While it is true that with fame and fortune comes responsibility, the punishment for such a harmless offense should not be so extreme.

Phelps did not endanger anyone or cause any damage. The 23-year-old swimmer just smoked weed at a party. The most irresponsible part of the whole thing was getting caught.

“The media has blown Michael Phelps smoking weed so far out of proportion. He is still young and regrets his decision and can only apologize so much. He is such a known star figure that I feel like media is making an example of him,” said Abbie Ellis, junior journalism major.

If an ordinary citizen were caught in this position, he or she would probably be charged with possession, slapped on the wrist and released back to his or her life. But more than likely, nothing at all would happen.

Pictures of young adults smoking weed swarm social networks like Facebook and MySpace everyday. The only difference between Phelps and us is the size of our pocketbooks and the familiarity of our faces.

The media want to make an example of Phelps. They want to convince children that marijuana use and a successful life cannot coexist.

Phelps has let down his fans and now must serve as an example so that this doesn’t happen again, USA Swimming said.

“We decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and hero,” USA Swimming said on Feb. 5, according to the New York Times.

As our country deals with momentous issues like war and recession, I wish I could say I was more surprised to see marijuana make its way to the front page of the news, but I’m not.

America and the media are fascinated with the lives of the rich and famous and even more obsessed with their downfalls.

Phelps is not a druggie waiting to score his next high. He is not a bad role model or dangerous to society. He is simply a famous athlete that made the mistake of letting a camera catch him in his off time.

Leidhra Johnson can be reached at [email protected]