News

A promoter has flip-flopped on plans to bring U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps to events in Calgary and Vancouver in light of a photograph that surfaced of the Olympic gold medalist using a bong associated with smoking marijuana.

Power Within Inc., a Toronto-based company that organizes motivational speaking events and initially stood by the superstar's involvement in next week's engagements in Western Canada, has suddenly pulled the plug.

“Due to widely publicized alleged use of marijuana by Michael Phelps, the decision has been made to present the program without Mr. Phelps' participation,” the company said in statement released to a local newspaper.

Both nonrefundable events were well on their way to selling out. Tickets for next Tuesday's event in Calgary cost $229 and will now feature actor Martin Sheen as its keynote speaker.

Next Friday's engagement in Vancouver, which costs $169, will still feature Mehmet Oz, a regular on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

The image appeared in a British tabloid earlier this month, but it was allegedly taken while Mr. Phelps attended a party last November while visiting the University of South Carolina. Last week, a state sheriff said he did not have enough physical evidence to charge Mr. Phelps.

Mr. Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August, has apologized for his actions, but stopped short of admitting to using pot.

Days after the controversy surfaced, Power Within said it was standing behind the scheduled Canadian appearances by the swimmer.

“We're not changing our position on it,” company founder Salim Khoja told a local newspaper. “His message and his accomplishments speak for themselves.”

Officials did not respond to requests yesterday to explain their change of heart.