“We regret that some Bulgarians and other readers were offended by the phrase we used. Our intent was to convey that the media, and sometimes the Olympic officials, seem to treat certain nationalities with more respect and affection than others, " reads the Editor's note, which is to be published in Newsweek magazine issue, to be out on the market March 11.

The fact has been confirmed in letters from Newsweek Science Editor Ms. Begley and Maxim Bozhilov, Editor-in-Chief of newspaper “Bulgarian horizons”, published in Toronto.

On February 25, 2001 in its article “Our Sport has Gangrene" Newsweek magazine commented “Even fans sympathetic to Jamie and David wondered aloud whether they would have gotten the gold if they had been homely, bucktoothed, balding and Bulgarian, rather than cute, charismatic Canadians".

In an interview for Bulgarian Daily "Trud", Ms. Begley said she is very sorry if Bulgarians have taken offence at the article. I just wanted to say it is unfair if some nationalities are treated better than others, she said, adding that her grandmother is Bulgarian.

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