The photo row, showing the Olympian Michael Phelps inhaling from a marijuana pipe, has resulted in the suspension of the celebrated swimmer from competitive events for a three-month period.

Announcing the decision of Phelps' suspension, with effect from Thursday, USA Swimming - the Colorado Springs-based national governing body for swimming - also added that financial support to Phelps will also be withdrawn during his suspension span.

As a result of being under suspension, the 23-year-old swimmer - one of the highly acclaimed athletes in the world, especially after his record eight gold medals' haul in the Beijing Olympics - will not be able to compete in any event till May, leaving him with barely two months to get set for the world championships to be held in Rome in July. He has, however, recommenced his training in his hometown, Baltimore.

As per the USA Swimming statement, Phelps has willingly accepted the federation's reproach over his contentious photo - published Sunday by the British tabloid News of the World - and is committed towards earning back the waned trust.

Commenting on its decision of Phelps' suspension, USA Swimming said: "This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero!"