There's been a sour end to the Olympics for three New Zealand swimmers who have been kicked out of the Games Village and missed last night's final team function after a prank backfired on them.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee said a young team member had too much drink at a social function, had apologised, and they had considered the matter closed.

But an embarrassing photograph of him sitting on a toilet was circulated to other team members in "a fit of high spirits".

The NZOC said Dean Kent, Corney Swanepoel and Cameron Gibson were suspended for what it's called inappropriate and foolhardy behaviour.