When Age and Values Collide The world had barely finished celebrating the start of 2009 when photographs of Michael Phelps flooded the media outlets. Seeing photos of Phelps was nothing new. After all, he was an Olympic gold medalist who had won a record eight medals for swimming the previous summer in Beiiing. But seeing Phelps smoking cannabis (an illegal drug) from a glass pipe WAS new. The image of Phelps with bong in hand was in stark contrast to his Sports illustrated cover draped with a necklace of gold medals. The public could not believe its collective eyes. What possessed Phelps to do such a thing? What was he thinking? Didn't he realize this could destroy his Olympic career or at the very least, ruin his "hero" image? Twenty-three-yearold Phelps had gotten into trouble before. At age nineteen, he received eighteen months' pro- bation for driving while under the influence. According to published reports, Phelps had developed a reputation for partying during Iulls in the swimming calendar.The night at- ter the bong incident, witnesses told reporters that Phelps sabri deniz kizilrsnuuerstockcom showed up at another nightclub "throwing back shots two at a time." Fellow partygoers described his behavior as "loud," "obnoxious," and "wild." This behavior differed from his rather disciplined public persona of eating, sleeping, and swimming. Acknowledging his mistake, Phelps apologized stating, "I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me." Despite engaging in an illegal act, Phelps was neither charged with a criminal offence nor did he face any action by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). 

1. In what ways might Generation Y's "work-to-Iive" philosophy have contributed to Phelps' behavior? 2. What effect will the USOC's (in) action have on Phelps' future behavior?  

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Generation Y also known as millennials is often characterized by their desire for worklife balance and a focus on personal fulfillment Their philosoph... View the full answer