London, Feb 1 : Olympic hero Michael Phelps is back in news, but this time, it's all for the wrong reasons - the swimmer has been snapped using a bong, an implement used to smoke cannabis.

British tabloid, News of the World, has posted a picture Saturday evening which they claim is 14-time Olympic Gold medallist Phelps taking a bong hit at a college in South Carolina.

And after sporting chiefs announced laws which mean four-year bans for drug taking, Phelps' dreams of adding to his overall 14 gold medal tally at the 2012 games in London could already be over.

One partygoer who witnessed the star's behaviour said: "He was out of control from the moment he got there.

"If he continues to party like that I'd be amazed if he ever won any more medals again."

Phelps was allegedly photographed smoking marijuana in November of 2008 at a college party, which he showed up unannounced to, according to News of the World.

In 2004, aged 19, the star athlete got 18 months probation for driving while under the influence. (ANI)