Swimmer Stephanie Rice Apologizes for Using the F Word

Australian competitive swimmer Stephanie Rice has issued a public apology for calling the South African rugby team “faggots” on her Twitter account.

The swimmer, who was dropped as the face of luxury car brand Jaguar as a result of the antigay slur, apologized, saying, “I'm not a person that judges others or speaks in a way that hurts feelings of others.”

After the story broke Sunday, diver Matthew Mitcham jumped to her defense, saying, “I know a lot of ppl are upset by what Steph Rice said. I agree, it was offensive & very thoughtless, but being friends with her for 2yrs, I know she is not homophobic. She meant no malice, & she has apologized for her careless comment posted in the excitement of the moment. That’s enough for me to forgive a friend.”

Watch the apology here. 

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