Michael Phelps's biggest regret over the pot pipe picture that earned him a three-month suspension from swimming was that he hurt people close to him, the Olympic superstar said in a television interview on Friday.

Speaking to Matt Lauer, host of the NBC network's Today Show, Phelps said the effect of the incident on his family and friends was worse than the loss of any sponsors.

"You know, the contract side of things, yeah, I was disappointed," said Phelps, who had many sponsors stand by him but saw cereal giant Kellogg's decide not to renew a partnership with him in the wake of the scandal.

"But, you know, I think the biggest thing is who I hurt the most," he said.

Phelps, 23, became an American hero and role model for young US swimmers last summer by winning a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, taking his total of Olympic gold to 14.

But Phelps made negative headlines when British tabloid News of the World published a photo of the swimmer apparently smoking from a marijuana pipe.

"I have to ask you, were you smoking pot?" Lauer asked. "It was a bad mistake," Phelps replied. "I mean, we all know what you and I are talking about. It was a stupid mistake... bad judgment."

Phelps told Lauer he believed he could maintain his passion for swimming through the 2012 London Olympics.

"There are still things I want to achieve, things I want to accomplish," he said.

USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months over the incident, saying they wanted to send a "strong message" to Phelps about his status as a role model for young people.

He has indicated he will return to competition at a Grand Prix meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May.

Source: AFP