Phelps Thanks Chinese for 'Warmth and Forgiveness'

BEIJING, Feb. 12, 2009 — -- Olympic champion Michael Phelps has apologized toChinese fans for what he called his "regrettable behavior" afterhe was photographed with a marijuana pipe at the University ofSouth Carolina.

Phelps spoke via the Internet on a video that appeared widelyThursday on Chinese-language Web sites. The Chinese-languagenewspaper Southern Metropolis Daily said the Web sites had receivedthe statement from automaker Mazda, which is reported to be payingPhelps more than $1 million to endorse the car brand in China.

"As many of you know, I recently engaged in behavior which wasregrettable and not what people have come to expect from me,"Phelps said, with his apology subtitled in Chinese.

"The past few days have been tough for me, but I've receivedsupport and encouragement online from so many Chinese friends."

Aphoto surfaced recently showing him inhaling from a marijuana pipeat the University of South Carolina in November.

Last month Phelps was back in Beijing -- where he won arecord-breaking eight gold medals -- to do commercials andendorsements for automaker Mazda.

Like most of his major sponsors, Mazda is apparently stickingwith Phelps as a spokesman. However, the Kellogg Co. has cut tieswith Phelps, saying it had made a business decision not to extendhis endorsement contract. The cereal and snack maker said Phelps'behavior was "not consistent with the image of Kellogg."

Chinese papers have followed the Phelps controversy closely,dubbing it "marijuana gate."

"To the young people of China, please learn a lesson fromthis," Phelps said. "Be positive in life, and do the rightthings. I've had so many great experiences in China over the pastfew years, and have enjoyed learning about your culture and yourhistory.

"But it's the warmth and forgiveness in the messages I'vereceived from China that has really lifted me up over the past fewdays. Thanks again for your support and encouragement. I lookforward to returning to China soon."