Disclaimer:

At first, I really didn't care much for Phelps, rather indifferent to slightly negative my attitude towards him.

Then this marawana bong picture comes out.

Seeing the picture, then I like him.

He's a guy, who is a regular American kid. He has some special talent, and applied himself, with the hard work he found susccess.

That he favoured an occasional vice or two, was not impediment. He was just normal guy with talent who won through hard work.