Updated: Per a request from Louis Vuitton, we removed the first photo of Michael Phelps. However, as LV has added the second photo to their Facebook page, we’ve added it here. Also, although he is the Olympian with the most medals in history, Michael Phelps might lose his London pieces as laying in hot water has gotten him in hot water with Olympic officials! The 27-year-old swimmer was seen in new leaked pictures for his ad campaign with Louis Vuitton, which hit Twitter on August 13th. Athletes who break Rule 40 can face sanctions, including financial penalties and disqualification from games, which can mean a loss of medals, as outlined in the Olympic Committee’s guidebook. Phelps’ longtime agent, Peter Carlisle, dismissed any suggestion Friday that the retired swimmer may have violated International Olympic Committee rules. “He didn’t violate Rule 40, it’s as simple as that,” Carlisle said. “All that matters is whether the athlete permitted that use. That’s all he can control. In this case, Michael did not authorize that use. The images hadn’t even been reviewed, much less approved. It’s as simple as that. An athlete can’t control unauthorized uses any more than you can guarantee someone isn’t going to break into your house.”
Coming off his new world record at the London 2012 Olympics, with 18 gold medals and 22 overall, Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps has retired. However, here’s Phelps’ first post-Olympics appearance — as a model for Louis Vuitton. Shot by Annie Leibovitz, the Louis Vuitton ad (above) features Phelps relaxing in a bathtub, wearing just swimming googles and his Speedos, while the crumpled Louis Vuitton bag lies on the floor. Phelps, the 27-year old most decorated Olympian of all time, seems to be enjoying his retirment.
The second Louis Vuitton ad (below), also lensed by Leibovitz, shows Phelps lounging with 77-year old Larisa Latynina of Russia, who until Phelps’ achievement, was the most decorated Olympic athlete.
