COLUMBIA, S.C. — Now that Michael Phelps won’t face drug charges, he can try to distance himself from a photo that showed the Olympian smoking a marijuana pipe.
A South Carolina sheriff decided Monday after a highly publicized investigation that he simply didn’t have enough physical evidence to charge the 14-time gold medalist.
“We had a photo and we had him saying he was sorry for his inappropriate behavior. That behavior could’ve been going to a party,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. “He never said, ‘I smoked marijuana.’ He never confessed that.”
Phelps, who lost a major endorsement and faces a three-month competition suspension in the fallout from the photo, said he was ready to put the ordeal behind him.
“For me, it’s all about recognizing that I used bad judgment and it’s a mistake I won’t make again,” the swimmer said. “For young people especially — be careful about the decisions you make.”
Schneider dealt to Canadiens
MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens acquired 39-year-old defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers for a second- round draft pick in 2009 and a third-round selection in 2010.
Schneider, who has four goals and 11 assists in 44 games this season, began his 20-year career with Montreal and helped the Canadiens win their 24th Stanley Cup in 1993.
Davidson’s Curry recovering
DAVIDSON, N.C. — Davidson guard Stephen Curry, who is averaging 29 points, was walking with just a slight limp and said he was confident he could return this week after injuring his left ankle during Saturday’s 75-60 victory over Furman.
• Connecticut point guard Jerome Dyson underwent knee surgery and will be out for the rest of the season. Dyson was averaging more than 13 points.
• North Carolina coach Roy Williams said he expects a decision this week on whether freshman 7-footer Tyler Zeller will return from a wrist injury or take a redshirt.
Footnotes.
Michigan quarterback Steven Threet said he has been given his release from the school and plans to transfer.
• Florida offensive lineman Carl Johnson was arrested and charged with violating a domestic violence restraining order.
• The Tennis Channel will not televise the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships this week to protest the United Arab Emirates’ refusal to grant an entry visa to Israeli player Shahar Peer, who was scheduled to play Anna Chakvetadze in the first round.
• A leg injury could force Rafael Nadal to skip the Dubai tournament, but the top-ranked Spaniard said he should be back in time to play for Spain next month in the first round of the Davis Cup.
• Evita Argentina, with Garrett Gomez aboard, became the first filly in 62 years to win the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
• Old Fashioned passed Silver City on the second turn and went on to win the Southwest Stakes in Hot Springs, Ark.
• The New York Red Bulls signed Juan Pablo Angel to a multiyear contract extension.
• Mississippi State coach Jay Miller will take over the U.S. softball national team.
The Associated Press
