Phelps caught with marijuana pipe

This just in: Michael Phelps is human.

The 14 time Olympic Gold Medalist was seen in a photo from British tabloid News of the World inhaling from a marijuana pipe. Phelps was quick to admit to this report and was sorry for his actions.

"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Phelps said in the statement released by one of his agents. "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."

The picture was apparently taken in November when Phelps visited the University of South Carolina.

The paper itself did not come right out and say that Phelps was smoking marijuana, but did note that the pipe is typically used for that purpose. However, someone at the party where Phelps was at was quoted as saying that Phelps was "out of control from the moment he got there."

This is not the first time that Phelps has been noted for engaging in unlawful behavior. Shortly after the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Phelps was arrested on a drunken driving charge, then at the age of 19.

Regardless, the events that transpired that night will not jeopardize his eight gold medals that he won in the 2008 Olympics. According to David Howman, the executive of the World Anti-Doping Agency, an athlete is subject to WADA sanctions only for a positive test that occurs during competition periods.

"We don't have any jurisdiction," Howman said. "It's not banned out of competition. It's only if you test positive in competition."