Phelps expresses sympathy for Woods and family

Published Dec. 17, 2009 10:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

Michael Phelps expressed sympathy for Tiger Woods and his family on Thursday because of the scrutiny resulting from the golfer's admitted infidelity.

``He's going through a hard time right now I assume - I've no idea what he is going through - but it can't be easy, I just wish him the best for himself and his family,'' said Phelps, who's in Manchester, England, for the ``Duel in the Pool'' swim meet. ``I'd be the first to admit I've made a lot of mistakes both in and out of the pool.

Phelps, who won a record eight Olympic gold medals in Beijing, was photographed three months later inhaling from a marijuana pipe.

``Of the mistakes I've made I've never made the same mistake again,'' Phelps said. ``I've become a much stronger person, and I've helped other people not make the same mistakes.''

After the photograph of Phelps was published in a British tabloid, USA Swimming suspended him for three months. He went on to win five golds and a silver at the July world championships in Rome.