Melbourne, Aug 26 : Three Olympic swimmers have been suspended for taking photos of a teammate sitting on the toilet.

New Zealand swimmers Cameron Gibson, Dean Kent and Corney Swanepoel took the photographs as a prank at a party last week and circulated them to other team members, the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) reported.

New Zealand team chief Dave Currie yesterday suspended the three athletes and expelled them from the Olympic Village.

They were not invited to the final team function last night but will fly back to Aukland with the team.

The identity of the photographed man has not been released but he was described as "one of our younger team members" by a team spokesperson.

The man apologised for his involvement in the prank.

"This was inappropriate and foolhardy behaviour at the end of a long campaign," the spokesperson said.

"All three swimmers are very remorseful and have apologised to team management for what was poor judgement on their part and accept the punishment handed down."

Further penalties against the swimmers are yet to be discussed.

ANI