Swimming Australia is back in the quagmire that it had begun to dig its way out of; the latest blunder is by its administration, as President Barclay Nettlefold has been accused by a female consultant of ‘inappropriate behavior.’
Several Australian news sites, including the Courier Mail, report that when Nettlefold and the unnamed female consultant were alone on an elevator at last month’s Australian National Championship meet, the president made an inappropriate remark.
New Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson has taken swift control of the situation, saying that “A member of the team staff made a formal complaint about an inappropriate remark and that complaint has been taken seriously and is currently being handled through the Swimming Australia Member Welfare Policy.”
Nettlefold didn’t immediately deny the claims, stating that he had apologized to the accuser, and taking responsibility that he needed to “lead by example” and “not make remarks that could be taken the wrong way, or be considered inappropriate.”
This breaking news, announced in a press conference, ended an ominous string of releases where Anderson was cited exclusively where Nettlefold would typically have comment.
Those within Swimming Australia that SwimSwam spoke with felt that this was out of character for the CEO, and questioned whether the claims were as serious as they’ve been made out by Australian media.
Nettlefold’s tenure, which began after the 2012 London Olympic Games, has been received with overwhelming positivity, both from the athletes and their representation, as well as the administration and other stakeholders. The organization took a beating, both financially and in reputation, after the 2012 Games, where a heavily favored men’s 400 free relay failed to medal.
It was later discovered that at their pre-Olympic training camp, members of that relay consumed energy drinks and sleeping pills in the same night, which fueled a night of disruptive and what an independent review deemed “toxic” behavior.
Poor guy is already pronounced guilty and we don’t even know what was said:)
Autocorrect put that at It .
Steve – perhaps everyone ought have an app that sanitises all comments .maybe embedded on their foreheads . Or fitted over sensitive ears.
Yeah, let me know how that works out.
It’s all on how it was interpreted. Someone taking offense to a comment that was meant to be a compliment is where it gets hazy.
FGS. Who are these ‘consultants’ & what do they do ? What did he say?
Show us a photo & we can be as good a judges as anyone.
Could we give out badges to women that say – yes I have spent $1473 on my appearance today & I am totally hot but do not say anything to me that is not on my contract or I will bring you down.
JG – Wouldn’t it just be simpler for men to just realize that they shouldn’t say refrain from saying things that are inappropriate given the relationship? Being respectful to anyone regardless of their appearance seems like a really good choice in any social situation – and will never cost anyine their job.
Who knows until we hear exactly what was said & photos please.
Perhaps a national inquiry is needed .