andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps admitted to police he had a beer an hour and 15 minutes before he was involved in a car accident last Thursday in Maryland, reports Perez Hilton. Police, however, have ruled out alcohol as the cause of the collision, saying Phelps showed “no signsof alcohol impairment.” They deemed sobriety tests unnecessary at the scene of the accident.

The other driver, Amanda E. Virkus, caused the accident by running a red light.

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Tiger Woods told the executive committee of the Olympic program he would play in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games if golf was made an Olympic sport, Perez Hilton reports.

“I’ve said there is no singular decision or singular program that can globalize the game of golf like a nod from the IOC to join the Olympic Games,” said PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka. “We’re very encouraged by today and we’re proud of the support we’ve received.”

Those behind the suggested program change propose featuring a 72-hole stroke-play competition with 60 players for men and women.

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After appearing on a tabloid allegedly holding a pipe, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps will not charged for his actions. “I’m glad this matter is put to rest. But there are also some important lessons that I’ve learned,” Phelps, 23, said in a statement Monday, PEOPLE reports.

“For me, it’s all about recognizing that I used bad judgment and it’s a mistake I won’t make again. For young people especially – be careful about the decisions you make. One bad decision can really hurt you and the people you care about.”

Although this will affect endorsements for the athlete, many believed that the photo was taken too far, and although it was an irresponsible decision on Phelp’s end, it will most likely not happen again. Investigators came to the conclusion that there was simply not enough evidence to charge him.

The eight time gold medal winning swimmer Michael Phelps publicly apologized this weekend for taking a less than classy photo smoking what appeared to be a marijuana pipe. The photo was published in a British tabloid on Sunday. Although he will still be able to compete, it could cost him millions in endorsement deals- and of course the inevitable cost of hassle from the media. The U.S. Olympic committee issued a statement on Sunday, People.com reports: “We are disappointed in the behavior recently exhibited by Michael Phelps.
 Michael is a role model, and he is well aware of the responsibilities and accountability that come with setting a positive example for others, particularly young people. In this instance, regrettably, he failed to fulfill those responsibilities. 
Michael has acknowledged that he made a mistake and apologized for his actions. 
We are confident that, going forward, Michael will consistently set the type of example we all expect from a great Olympic champion.”

This isn’t the first time Phelps has made a public blunder. In 2004 Phelps pleaded guilty to a drinking and driving charge. Although Phelps isn’t facing any legal repercussions, his reputation as a marketable role model for young athletes will certainly suffer.

Over 150 U.S. Olympic team members will help kick off the 23rd season of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

A number of gold medalists are among the special guests at the Sept. 2 taping in Chicago’s Millennium Park, including record-breaking swimmer Michael Phelps, gymnast Nastia Liukin, beach volleyball teammates Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, and basketball players Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Lisa Leslie.

Winfrey’s company, Harpo Productions, said the episode will be a “welcome-home celebration” for the athletes, as well as a chance to put the spotlight on Chicago as the city bids for the 2016 Olympics Games.

The season premiere of Winfrey’s talk show airs Sept. 8.

Fans of Phelps, who took home eight gold medals at this year’s Games, can catch the 23-year-old swimmer again that night when he appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

As previously reported, he will also present an award at the Sept. 7 MTV VMAs, host the Sept. 13 season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” and release a book in December.

Michael Phelps is about to dive into new water.

The 23-year-old swimmer, who won a record eight gold medals at this summer’s Olympics in Beijing, is set to appear on screen twice in the upcoming weeks.

Phelps will first appear on the televised MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7, joining Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, and the cast of High School Musical as a presenter.

Then, a week later, he will be hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live. SNL’s 34th season premiere, airing on Sept. 13, will also feature Lil Wayne as the musical guest.

And, as if that weren’t enough for “Phelps Phans”, the swimmer will also be releasing a book about his time at the Olympics, his training, and how he was raised in a single-parent family. The book, “Built To Succeed”, is slated for a December release.

Michael Phelps is following up a record eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing with a book deal.

The American swimmer, nicknamed the Baltimore Bullet, will write about his philosophy on training and competition en route to this year’s Summer Games, Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Shuster, announced Friday.

He will also cover his experiences being raised by a single mother and coping with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which he was diagnosed with at age 9.

The memoir is scheduled for release in December.

Phelps, 23, previously co-authored “Beneath the Surface,” which was released after he won six gold and two bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics. At that point, the then-teenaged swimmer was already known for setting seven world records in 41 days during the summer of 2003.

With his recent streak in Beijing, he surpassed the seven gold medal haul of American swimmer Mark Spitz at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Phelps has confirmed he plans to compete at the 2012 London Olympics.