A sports analyst said that the incident wherein Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was photographed inhaling from a glass pipe can be serious, especially if this is now perceived as a chronic behavior.

An online newspaper published the photograph last weekend, showing Phelps inhaling from the pipe which is usually used to smoke marijuana. The incident allegedly took place at a party at the University of South Carolina on November 6 last year.

University of Southern California Sports Business Institute Executive Director David Carter said that the incident could haunt Phelps since he already had been cited for indiscretion four years ago.

In 2004, Phelps pleaded guilty for drunken driven, a few months after he won 6 gold medals and 2 bronzes at the Athens Olympics.

Phelps already issued an apology stating that he “engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment.”

So far, the swimmer’s major sponsors – Omega and Speedo – said that they have no plans in severing its relationship with Phelps.