AOC to make a decision about Nick D’Arcy inclusion in the team before the Olympic trials
The spokesperson of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has expressed that the decision about Nick D’Arcy’s inclusion in the Australian team to the 2012 London Olympic Games would be made before the Australian Selections Trials for Olympics, which are
starting from mid-March.
The Pan Pacific silver medallist, D’Arcy was forced out of the Australian team to the 2008 Beijing Olympics for assaulting a former Australian swimmer, Simon Cowley, at a nightclub.
Following that, the three-time Commonwealth champion, Cowley sued D’Arcy last November for the damages and D’Arcy was directed by the court to pay Cowley $180,000 as compensation. Nevertheless, the 24-year-old D’Arcy filed for bankruptcy and asserted that
he is already in a debt of $800,000, therefore, he would not be able to pay Cowley’s reparation.
D’Arcy, who recently recovered from a back injury, participated at the 2012 New South Wales (NSW) State Open Championships last week and captured a gold medal in the 200m butterfly along with a third finish in the 100m butterfly.
The Australian expressed confidence that there will be no hindrance in his London participation, if he qualifies for the Australian Selection Trials to Olympic Games. D’Arcy articulated that he is assured his bankruptcy will not obstruct his qualification
for the 2012 London Games.
While responding to the issue, AOC’s spokesman, Mike Tancred said, “The team executive committee is yet to make a decision regarding Nick D'Arcy but we expect to make decision prior to the trials in Adelaide in March.”
“Just having the opportunity to go to the Olympics … obviously it would be a pretty tough thing to walk away from the sport and say I made the team but I never went, but this is a really good opportunity for me to actually go away and test my mettle against
some of the best in the world,” D’Arcy said.
Right now, D’Arcy is enjoying his gruelling training session, as he took a bed rest of almost six weeks, following his back injury. With his stupendous efforts at the NSW meet, D’Arcy has confirmed himself as one of the strongest butterfly swimmers of Swimming
Australia and it would be interesting to see him compete with the world’s best at the forthcoming mega event.
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