Michael Phelps Apologizes to China?!
obitoddkenobi
February 16, 2009, 04:29 AM posted in General DiscussionDid anyone else see the article in Lede or hear the video? I wondered how it was playing in China. Looking at it from here, there just seemed to be not much sincerity behind Michael's appology. Maybe its because the video that I saw is out of sync, but his mannerism just didn't suggest that he was appologetic to or inspired by his "so many Chinese fans". Seemed like he was more interested in appeasing Mazda and keeping a lucrative contract. Here is the beginning of the article and a link to the video and full article for those who can get it:
Mazda Has Michael Phelps Apologize to China
By Lynn ZinserAt the behest of a sponsor, Michael Phelps has recorded a video apology to the people of China, expressing his remorse over the recently published pictures of him using a marijuana pipe and thanking them for their support and forgiveness.
The 52-second video has been posted on several Web sites in China, and one major Chinese newspaper said the video had been sent directly from the Japanese auto company Mazda, which last month signed Phelps to an endorsement deal believed to be worth more than a million dollars. Phelps was signed to promote Mazda cars in China after his record-breaking eight-gold-medal performance at the Beijing Olympics last summer.
In the video, Phelps begins by saying, “To my Chinese friends,” and goes on to apologize for behavior that was “regrettable and not what people have come to expect from me.” Phelps’s words are subtitled in Chinese.
Phelps, 23, never specifically addresses what the picture captured, which was Phelps at a house party in South Carolina appearing to inhale from a marijuana pipe. After it was published in a British tabloid, the backlash has included a three-month suspension by USA Swimming and a police investigation. Another of Phelps’s sponsors, Kellogg, announced it would not renew his contract.
But Mazda apparently decided an apology to the Chinese would suffice. The company issued a statement saying it would continue its sponsorship of Phelps. “His expression of remorse and his determination to make amends, and especially his video apology and expression of thanks to the Chinese people, give us confidence that Phelps can make a healthy return to the pool and have even more brilliant achievements,” the statement said.
sebire
February 17, 2009, 11:43 AMWhat's the attitude to drugs in China? I am assuming it's an "off with their head" approach to dealers?
Just send Phelps to Nimbin - those hippies and their addled brains are pretty weird.
changye
February 16, 2009, 05:59 AMIt's absolutely necessary to apologize to Chinese people for keeping your business going in the most moral country in the world, haha.
pearltowerpete
February 16, 2009, 06:37 AMI think it's absurd. In America, we're in the middle of our second "War on Drugs." The first one was called the Prohibition, and it strengthened organized crime, trampled on traditions and responsible drinking, and reduced people's respect for the law.
If China wants to crack down on the opium of the 21st century, the best place to start would be the smoke-filled internet cafes. How many billions of human-hours have been frittered away at CounterStrike and RPGs? How much potential was wasted?
Screaming about pot, which is readily available in China and in fact has long been used ritually by some of the 55 harmonious minorities (especially those in Yunnan), is absurd. If only countries could summon as much energy when they confront uncomfortable skeletons-in-the-closet like selling guns to the Sudanese government.
changye
February 16, 2009, 06:57 AMJoking aside, I believe the video is a good precuationary measure for Mazda, who definitely knows how volatie Chinese people are when it comes to foreing companies, especially Japanese ones. If Phelps didn't apologize, it would be highly possible that some "patriotic" Chinese guys condemn Mazda for insulting Chinese people by using a marijuana guy for advertising in China.
I'm not kidding. Actually there were several such things in the past, including an advertisement made by a foreign company (ADIDAS...?), in which an American athlete defeated traditional Chinese martial artists. A lot of Chinese people felt insulted by the TV advertisement. Can you believe that? Believe it or not, it's real China.
I once read an interesting blog article written by a young Chinese guy. He sarcastically said that Chinese people have the most easily-bruised ego in the world and are "always ready" to be greatly insulted and disgraced by foreign guys, companies and countries. I must say his observation is very correct.
In the case of TOYOTA, one of their advertising posters in China featured a TOYOTA Land Cruiser and some traditional Chinese lions giving a salute to the car. And not surprisingly, TOYOTA was assailed in China for "disgracing" the Chinese icons. TOYOTA had no choice but to apologize, because it's no use reasoning with a crying child.... or crying China.
Laughably enough, this TOYOTA poster was created by a Chinese ad agency, haha.
calkins
February 16, 2009, 09:15 AMIf Phelps' PR team was smart, they would have pulled a quote from Pres. Clinton and had him say "I didn't inhale." :)
Even better if he had said it in Chinese “我并未吸入” ...apparently he's been learning Mandarin for a couple of years.
Seriously though, a tiny bit of Chinese in the video would have gone a long way to impressing many in China.
changye
February 16, 2009, 01:08 PMHi calkins
a tiny bit of Chinese in the video would have gone a long way
I can't agree more. That's the best way to massage Chinese people's ego. Adding flavor of 东北话 (northeast dialect) would be more effective, I guarantee.
flibberdie
February 16, 2009, 03:45 PMUnless he really means it (the apology), and wants to admit guilt, I think Mr. Phelps should exercise his right to remain silent. A situation like his could help shine the light on the absurdity of marijuana prohibition in the US. Groveling and apologizing doesn't advance anything. Surely this guy has a lawyer....
daizi
February 16, 2009, 06:40 PMClinton didn't inhale because he ate his pot. Mr. Phelps probably should stick to eating brownies as well; all that smoke can't be good for an elite athlete. And from what we saw about his eating regimen during the Olympics, a brownie or two might help him get the daily calories he needs, especially with the added benefit of the munchies.
Speaking of which, anyone have any clue how to say "the munchies" in Chinese? Or for that matter, any other pot-related vocabulary? Blunt, fatty, joint, stoned,nickel bag, etc.
obitoddkenobi
February 16, 2009, 05:44 AMMaybe some of it is jealousy. I think a lot of it has to do with the role model question. Julius Lester, a Civil Rights veteran comments on it in a similar vein: "What I do not understand is why Michael Phelps, or any athlete, is supposed to be a role model. A role model of what? Yes, the very best athletes are incredibly disciplined and committed, but they are also young. In the United States we glorify youth without recognizing that the majority of our lives are spent not being young. It is the rare athlete who can be a role model for anything except being young, physically gifted, and disciplined." He goes on to suggest that what we need to identify with is heroes. "A hero makes us ask, what are the values by which you live your life? When I was in college, I read the dialogue of Plato's that describes the death of Socrates, and I remember talking with others in the class and thinking a lot about would I die for something I believed in? In 1956 none of us knew that in a mere four years that question would be made real when the civil rights movement began, and thousands and thousands of blacks and whites would have to ask that question - am I willing to risk my life, am I willing to die for the cause of racial equality?"
"As frightening as the question was (and is), those of us who had grown up with heroes found courage in their lives and works and answered, yes."
"Michael Phelps has the potential to become a hero."
daveyjohn
February 16, 2009, 07:37 PMi think in 6 months if u ask the average chinese person what they can remember from the olympics
they'll say phelps and that dude who flew around the stadium with the torch
daizi
February 16, 2009, 07:49 PMTell me HE wasn't high.
RJ
February 17, 2009, 12:46 AMHow dare he prove that someone who smokes pot can be healthy and disciplined enough to win multiple gold medals. What is this world coming to, the truth?
bababardwan
February 17, 2009, 01:25 AMRJ,
There was also a drug scandal here in Australia a few months ago when one of our greatest ever footballers [rugby league] was caught with ecstacy.While not wanting to specifically comment on him or Michael Phelps,I would say that oils aint oils.That is ,each drug is different,but for some of these drugs the damage is more in mental health [which may take some time to manifest itself] rather than in physical health.Outstanding achievement in the world of sport,IMHO,does not preclude the increased risk of future health problems with ongoing use.While I certainly am not one for persecuting anyone,and I hate the tall poppy syndrome,at the same time I think it's important that impressionable hero-worshipping kids gain an understanding of the risks involved in recreational drug use,lest they model the behaviour and jeopardise their health.
miantiao
February 17, 2009, 01:53 AMI think he may have put the bong in the cupboard for the olympics.
changye
February 17, 2009, 07:17 AMHi sebire
Yeah, few Chinese people care about such a "trivial" incident........ as long as it has nothing to do with a Japanese (or French?) company. A lot of bored young Chinese guys are lurking on the Internet, just like me, trying to make an accusation against "evil" foreign countries. I know it's a precious pastime. Man cannot live by bread along.
RJ
February 17, 2009, 09:54 AMbababardwan,
Of course you are right but moderation is the key to life. what we should teach our kids is responsible decision making, critical thinking, and maybe that hero worship is not such a good idea. Then you wouldnt need drug laws that do more harm than good anyway. It boggles the mind that the govt can tell me what I can do to my own body. Its as if self abuse were illegal. How would that work? At least a lot less people would be wearing glasses. ;-) or have big wrists.
bababardwan
February 17, 2009, 11:18 AMRJ,
I couldn't agree more about what we should teach our kids.I decided from the start that it was going to be much easier and more important to empower my kids than change the world.Not that we all shouldn't at the same time try and do all we can to make it a brighter happier place for all.
calkins
February 16, 2009, 05:18 AMI personally don't understand why this has become so important. I'm not condoning what he did, and I know he's a role model for millions of people, but he is also a 22 year old "kid" who has a lot of weight on his shoulders. It wasn't the smartest thing in the world, but let him blow off a little steam.
How many of these people, who have been pointing their fingers at Phelps, were sucking on a pipe when they were in college? I would guess many of them were.