Nick D'Arcy and Kenrick Monk are in hot water with Swimming Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee after posting inappropriate photos on Facebook.

D'Arcy and Monk are shown posing with high-powered weapons at a gun shop in the United States.

The photo was posted on Monk's Facebook page and also circulated on Twitter before Swimming Australia ordered the Olympic-bound pair to take down the photos.

D'Arcy and Monk were in California competing at the Santa Clara Grand Prix with other Australian team members earlier this week.

Swimming Australia is continuing to investigate the incident but ordered the photo to be removed in accordance with the take down clause in its social media guidelines.

"Swimming Australia does not condone the posting of inappropriate content on Facebook, Twitter or any social media platform,'' the organisation said in a statement this afternoon.

"This is a timely reminder for athletes to more be responsible to themselves, the public with whom they engage through social media, and the reputation of the sport."

Australian Olympic team Chef de Mission Nick Green issued a statement describing the actions of D'Arcy and Monk as foolish and inappropriate for Australian team members.

"This incident serves as a warning to all athletes on the 2012 team about the dangers of social media," Green said in the statement.

"We say again to our athletes, do not put anything up on social media that you would not share with your mother or grandmother.

"By all means use social media, but use it responsibly."

D'Arcy, 24, was a controversial selection for the 2012 Australian swimming team.

He was kicked off the 2008 team after he was charged with and eventually convicted of assaulting fellow swimmer Simon Cowley.

D'Arcy qualified for the London Olympics by winning the 200m butterfly at the national titles but his position in the team was questioned by many as he had not cleared his debt to Cowley.

A judge in a civil hearing last year ordered D'arcy to pay Cowley $370,000 in damages and costs but D'arcy subsequently declared himself bankrupt.

Monk also tarnished his reputation when he admitted last year to making up a hit-and-run story to explain his injured arm.

He confessed that he actually broke his elbow falling off a skateboard.

Monk said he had made up the hit-and-run story because he was not supposed to be engaging in dangerous sports.

The 24-year-old claimed a relay spot in the Olympic team when finishing third in the 200m freestyle at the Australian titles.

He admitted after the selection trials that he still has trouble straightening his arm as a result of the skateboard accident.