AP: Phelps admits photo shows him smoking pot in Columbia

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A photo of swimming great Michael Phelps smoking marijuana while in Columbia has surfaced in a British tabloid.

The Sun published a picture of the Olympic swimmer Sunday holding a bong and smoking what witnesses say was marijuana. According to The Sun, the picture was taken while Phelps was at a house party in Columbia.

In a statement released to the Associated Press, Phelps admits that the picture is real.

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgement. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again," said Phelps.

WIS News 10 has learned that Phelps was in Columbia at the beginning of November to visit friends at USC. That is when the picture was taken.

"It was just some jealous kid at Carolina and I just hope this situation dies down quickly," said Trevor Ferguson.

The paper anonymously quoted a partygoer who said Phelps was "out of control from the moment he got there."

Reported by Jackie Faye

Updated by Chrissy Kohler

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