Under-fire Olympic champion Michael Phelps has earned the support from the world swimming's governing body FINA on Wednesday.

The federation said in a statement that it has "confidence and admiration for a young champion that publicly apologized for his act".

Phelps, a record eight gold medals winner at last year's Beijing Olympics at an age of 23, has been in the middle of the controversy over a picture purportedly showing him smoking marijuana.

"FINA certainly counts on Michael Phelps to highlight the next editions of the FINA World Championships and other prestigious swimming competitions in the future," said the sport's world ruling body.

The photograph was reported to have been taken in November at a party at the University of South Carolina and was published by British newspaper News of the World.

Phelps has apologized for the "inappropriate" incident and the International Olympic Committee said his apology was proof of his sincerity. (Northeast web)