Phelps 'wishing the best' for Woods

By Liz Byrnes, Press Association Sport Last updated: 17th December 2009

As Tiger Woods' world continues to crumble, 14-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps shared an insight into the experiences of being embroiled in a public scandal.

Woods' personal and professional life has spun out of control since a car crash last month heralded a string of ongoing revelations over his infidelities and led the American to announce he was taking an indefinite break from golf in an attempt to save his marriage.

Phelps has had his own share of unwanted attention.

In 2004, the American was caught drink-driving and sentenced to 18 months probation.

Earlier this year the 24-year-old was banned for three months by USA Swimming after being pictured in a tabloid newspaper with a pipe used for smoking drugs and the subsequent fall-out prompted Phelps to seriously consider his future in the sport.

His experiences have led the Baltimore swimmer to sympathise with Woods' position.

Phelps said: "I'm wishing the best for him and his family.

"At a time like this you see who your actual friends are and who supports you.

"He is going through a hard time right now I assume, I've no idea what he is going through, but it can't be easy."

Phelps refused to shirk the questions in Manchester ahead of the Duel in the Pool against the E-Stars, comprising swimmers from Great Britain, Italy and Germany.

Instead, he was philosophical, insisting he had become "a stronger person" as a result of his actions and the punishment he had to endure.

"I'll be the first to admit I've made a lot of mistakes both in and out of the pool and, of the mistakes I made, I never made that mistake again," Phelps added.

"I think I've become a stronger person and I've helped other people not make the same mistakes that I made. So I feel I am a stronger person because of those.

"I'm not saying it was good to make those mistakes but those mistakes have definitely helped me.

"It's just life, people make mistakes. Someone told me you can make 1,000 mistakes as long as you never make the same mistake again.

"I'm not saying it's good or bad to make a mistake but everyone learns from them.

"I've made many mistakes in my life but they have helped me become a stronger person so I'm just helping other people become stronger."

Liz Byrnes, Press Association Sport