Michael Phelps swam right into a mess when a British tabloid last month published photos of the 14-time Olympic gold medalist smoking marijuana.

Despite the swimmer’s illegal activity, 60% still have a favorable opinion of him in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 29% view Phelps unfavorably.

Phelps has since apologized and will not be subject to criminal prosecution, but he has been suspended from competitive swimming for three months and Kellogg’s decided not to renew his endorsement contract. Most adults (53%) agree with the cereal company’s decision, although 33% disagree.

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Men (63%) have a slightly higher favorable opinion of Phelps than women do (59%). Adults between 40 and 49 (67%) approve of the athlete more than those in any other age group.

Interestingly, given his status as a role model for young people and the nature of his offense, Americans with children at home (66%) hold a higher opinion of Phelps than those without children (57%). Married adults (64%) favor him more than non-married adults (55%).

Overall, 59% have been following stories about Phelps at least somewhat closely. Forty percent (40%) have not followed the stories closely or at all.

Among those who have been following the story very closely, 77% have a favorable opinion of the swimmer, but 22% do not.

Adults over age 30 tend to concur with Kellogg’s more than those 18 to 29. Over half (52%) of adults with children and 54% of those without children support Kellogg’s decision to take Phelps off cereal boxes.

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