
Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps expressed sympathy on Thursday for the plight of fellow American Tiger Woods and said he fully understood what it was like to make mistakes.
World number one Woods has taken an indefinite break from golf after admitting he had been unfaithful to his wife.
Phelps, speaking on the eve of a two-day meeting between the United States and a European team, said: "He (Woods) is going through a hard time right now.
"It can't be easy but I just wish him the best for himself and his family," the swimmer told a news conference at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
The 24-year-old American, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last year, was forced to apologise early this year after being photographed inhaling from a pipe used to smoke marijuana. No charges were laid.
"I'd be the first to admit I've made a lot of mistakes both in and out of the pool," said Phelps.
"But of the mistakes I've made I've never made the same mistake again. I've become a much stronger person and I've helped other people not make the same mistakes."
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