SYDNEY (AP) — Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates has defended the selection of swimmer Nick D’Arcy for the London Olympics amid accusations of a secret deal to put him on the team.
D’Arcy, regarded as a strong medal chance in London, missed the 2008 Olympics and 2009 world championships after being convicted of assaulting former swimmer Simon Cowley in a Sydney bar.
D’Arcy was ordered to pay $370,000 in damages and costs, but declared himself bankrupt.
Cowley alleged there was a covert deal to bring D’Arcy back into the team despite ethical concerns — something Swimming Australia denies — while Coates said Saturday that “we are satisfied that he has learned his lesson.”