Phelps appears to be aiming for '12 Games
swimming
Michael Phelps believes he can maintain his passion for competition through the 2012 Olympics, the swimmer said yesterday in an interview on NBC's Today show. Phelps seemed to indicate that he's leaning toward competing in the London Games, something he was uncertain about after a photo of him inhaling from a marijuana pipe appeared in a British tabloid. "There are still things I want to achieve, things I want to accomplish," Phelps told Matt Lauer. Lauer also asked Phelps whether he had used marijuana, but the 14-time Olympic gold medalist did not answer the question directly. "It was a bad mistake," he said. "I mean, we all know what, you know, what you and I are talking about." More than a month after the photo appeared, Phelps said he regrets hurting those close to him more than losing sponsorship money. (Cereal giant Kellogg decided not to continue its relationship with the swimmer.) The rest of the interview will air tomorrow at 7 p.m. on Dateline. Phelps is still serving a three-month suspension from USA Swimming because of the photo.
CHILDS WALKER
Marlins release ex-Oriole Gibbons
baseball
The Florida Marlins released outfielder Jay Gibbons, a setback in his bid to revive his career after acknowledging that he used human growth hormone. The Marlins made the move even though Gibbons hit .313 (5-for-16) in spring training with a home run and seven RBIs. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said there was no roster room for Gibbons. Gibbons was named in the Mitchell Report in December 2007 and hasn't played in the major leagues since. The Orioles released Gibbons at the end of spring training a year ago.
Et cetera: : Bench coach Barry Larkin will manage the United States' next game - tonight against Puerto Rico in Miami - in the World Baseball Classic for Davey Johnson, a former Orioles player and manager, who will be attending the wedding of his stepson. ... Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard, a former Oriole who was scratched from his scheduled start against the Royals on Wednesday because of a sore backside, canceled a bullpen session for the second consecutive day. ... Manny Ramirez, making his debut for the Dodgers, walked twice and had a single while serving as the designated hitter in their 4-3 win over a Rangers split squad in Phoenix.
Mickelson leads by 2; Woods 10 shots back
golf
