Swimming Australia Levies Fines, “Deferred Suspensions” on Six Olympians

In its first move with any serious teeth, Swimming Australia has handed down fines and “deferred suspensions” to six members of the Australian Olympic team; though not specifically named, the phrasing of the press release implicates that it was the six members of the men’s 400 free relay that went into the meet as gold medal favorites and emerged instead with just a fourth-place finish.

The Panel specifically cited the six members of the men’s 400 free relay for “inappropriate distribution and or use of the prescription drug Stilnox,” making late night phone calls to fellow team members, and “general misbehaviour” at the staging camp in Manchester prior to the Olympic Games. Those six swimmers were James MagnussenTommaso D’Orsogna, Cameron McEvoy, James RobertsEamon Sullivan, and Matt Targett.

In the matter of the accusations by Alicia Coutts against a teammate in January, after Swimming Australia implemented strict new conduct guidelines, the accused athlete (an unnamed male team member) was “reprimanded” for his actions.

Swimming Australia has conducted numerous internal and third-party investigations into the struggles of certain portions of their team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the conclusions drawn have been largely focused around the misconduct of members of the male squad.

The full press release from Swimming Australia detailing findings is below.

Swimming Australia has finalised its Integrity Panel Report following allegations of inappropriate behaviour and has now presented that report to the Australian Olympic Committee for further consideration.

As a result of the Swimming Australia Integrity Panel report, six athletes will be required to make payments to Swimming Australia and will receive deferred suspensions for breaches of their behavioural obligations.

The Integrity Panel investigated allegations of inappropriate behaviour and misuse of prescription drugs by members of the Australian Swim Team during the Staging Camp in Manchester last year.

The Panel found that the six members of the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team in London failed to demonstrate the level of conduct required of members of the Team by either:

      i.        the inappropriate distribution and or use of the prescription drug Stilnox;

     ii.        participating in a bonding session that resulted in prank telephone calls and door knocking to fellow Team members in the late hours of the evening; and

iii.        general misbehaviour.

The Integrity Panel also investigated allegations of drunkenness but found no evidence to sanction any athlete, coach or team official in relation to alcohol use during the Staging Camp and swimming component of the Olympic Games.

Allegations of bullying within the Team at the Staging Camp and during the Games were also investigated by the Panel, however no formal complaints were made to the Panel during the investigation and no recommendations of sanctions in that regard were made to the Board.

The Panel also looked into an allegation of inappropriate behaviour by a team member towards another team member in January, and upon consideration of the Panel’s findings the Board has issued a reprimand to the athlete concerned.

Swimming Australia President Barclay Nettlefold said the organisation will continue to assist the Australian Olympic Committee in their investigation if required, as they work towards developing the right culture and ethical framework to enable athletes and coaches to perform at their best.

“We believe these athletes showed poor judgement in their actions and behaviour, and such behaviour is unacceptable for members of the Australian Swim Team,” said Nettlefold.

“We have taken many steps towards developing a more positive culture within the team and the organisation already this year, and we’re confident we are heading in the right direction.”

Swimming Australia will be making no further comment on the matter.

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cynthia curran
10 years ago

They’ve also probably lost a decent amount of sponsor income over the mess. Swimming Australia’s stipends are relatively modest; you make yourself middle class or better through private sponsors. Probably some ‘tall poppies’ getting trimmed here in favor of giving that same sponsor money pot to runners or rugby players instead. Its similar to some elite swimmers in the US that have contracts that run maybe aroudn 50,000 to 250,000 for speedo.

Jg
Reply to  cynthia curran
10 years ago

Not really. Swimming has gained the support of The world’s richest woman – mining magnate Gina Hancock.

Gina demands certain things & Gina gets them. She decided her children were too stupid to get an inheritance .

If swimming fails , she will bring in Chinese or somebody to do better for less . She will ask the Federal government for a special visa & get it.

Money talks.

Jg
Reply to  Jg
10 years ago

Just kidding about Gina . There are a few inside jokes there .

Gina stepped in directly after London with $10 million direct funding.. Indeed the age nationals are sponsored by her Georgina Hope Foundation.

Let’s hope some of that drive & commitment to global positioning rubs off.

DutchWomen
10 years ago

Are we surprised, living in a worldwide culture that endorses and glorifies sex, drugs, and rock and roll? I find it rather difficult to understand how men….men that used to espouse the search for greatness, for excellence, above all else, have now proclaimed sleeping pills and adolescent schoolyard tomfoolery of greater importance than Gold Medals???

Daaaave
Reply to  DutchWomen
10 years ago

Rock and roll can ONLY lead to tomfoolery, especially when it’s ACDC, Midnight Oil, or Silverchair.

Coacherik
10 years ago

Deferred? As in they will serve their suspension later? Let me guess, after this summers championship meets?!

If that’s the case, what have they really learned? This has no teeth unless its effective immediately. The rest of the NT and developing Age Groupers will see that and know it. Kids, here’s the lesson for the day: If you are good enough, things have a tendency to pretty much always go your way.

Cabry
Reply to  Coacherik
10 years ago

I could be wrong, but I think it’s even less harsh. Deferred in this situation I think means like they are only going to get the punishment if they mess up again. For anyone thinking this is too harsh, it’s nothing. A slap on the wrist would hurt more. It was a banned substance and they shouldn’t have messed with other’s training prep. I think this ‘punishment’ is too easy, and I hope it would have happened either way. However, it was the trial by the media they went through was the real punishment. That press conference…(“WHAT MOVIE DID YOU SEE?!!!!!!”). It was ridiculous. smh. The Australian public generally dislikes them. There were editorials written that wanted them banned from… Read more »

beachmouse
Reply to  Cabry
10 years ago

They’ve also probably lost a decent amount of sponsor income over the mess. Swimming Australia’s stipends are relatively modest; you make yourself middle class or better through private sponsors. Probably some ‘tall poppies’ getting trimmed here in favor of giving that same sponsor money pot to runners or rugby players instead.

Cabry
Reply to  beachmouse
10 years ago

Yes, I think both SA and the swimmers lost money as a result, both in sponsors and government funding. Then there was the report revealing all the drug use and game fixing going on in all those other sports. SA chose a bad time for a disappointing Olympics. And Maggie…he was a tall poppy that wasn’t just cut. He was mowed down. However, there is a lot of talent in the team. I think if they can get it together there is no reason they cannot be better and have some fantastic results!

Jg
Reply to  Cabry
10 years ago

Cabry – it was not a banned substance at all but one the Aust Olympic Committee stated they did not want used. They actually have no legal right to punish for possession or use of a legally prescribed drug in a foreign country.

This enquiry was conducted by a Queens Counsel who knows hthe laws – hence the small stick. It. Is an ethics violation at best.

The other Report you referenced was a Crimes Commission report for the government . As there have been No Nil Nada prosecutions from a virtual sledging of the whole sport industry & every aspect – it is starting to smell bad.

The ASDA & the AOC. Pushed it because they want… Read more »

Cabry
Reply to  Cabry
10 years ago

I read all your comments and you see, I make a point to follow SA news and there was a lot I didn’t know. I am glad Gina stepped in with private funding. I imagine that makes things a lot easier and hopefully better. I knew Stillnox wasn’t illegal or a PED but I assumed if AOC makes rules, they can punish as far as their jurisdiction allows, fines and suspensions. Even with that I still, just my opinion, think it was a little easy. However, with the vague language, I did just assume they were light. Maybe they really did stick it to them. As Alan Thompson said, hopefully it’s enough to teach the boys a lesson and make… Read more »

dude
10 years ago

Are you kidding me? We are talking about the best swimmers in the world. Prank phone calls? It is a delayed punishment by swimming australia for those guys choking. If they would have showed up regardless of their knowledge of stillnox use and childish pranks they wouldn’t have cared.

aswimfan
Reply to  dude
10 years ago

There’s some truth in your opinion.

Nadador
10 years ago

Too little, too late?!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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