Nick D’Arcy alarms his rivals by posting fastest early-season time at the NSW meet – Swimming News
Controversial Australian butterfly specialist, Nick D’Arcy has alarmed his rivals by posting a fastest early season-time at the 2012 New South Wales (NSW) State Open Championships.
D’Arcy, who lately got well from his back injuries, clinched gold medal of the 200m butterfly discipline at the NSW meet in a time of 1 minute and 56.90 seconds. His effort remained nearly three seconds slower from 2011’s fastest effort of 1 minute and 53.34 seconds by Michael Phelps, but is the fastest in the 2012 hitherto.
In the 2012 early rankings, he is followed by Christopher Wright, who posted a time of 1 minute and 57.34 seconds behind D’Arcy at the NSW meet.
The 24-year-old D’Arcy’s Olympic career was halted in 2008 after his clash with the former Australian swimmer, Simon Cowley, at the nightclub. Consequently, D’Arcy was dropped off the Australian team to the Beijing Olympic Games and was prosecuted by Cowley last November to pay the damages.
As a result, the court directed D’Arcy to pay an amount of $180,000 to Cowley, but the former swimmer filed bankruptcy and stated that he is already in debt of $800,000.
It is said that if D’Arcy qualifies for the Australian team to London, he might face complications in heading along with the Australian squad due to his bankruptcy. Nevertheless, D’Arcy told that he had an affirmative conversation with the committee and they said he could go to Olympics, if he succeeds at the trials.
“If I do the time and make the team, then I'll be on the Olympic team. But I've got to make the team first; one step at a time. It is some relief, just having that off my shoulders and knowing if I make the team I will be selected based on my performance … but anything can happen at Olympic trials and complacency can be the death of you,” said D’Arcy.
On the other hand, a representative of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), 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.”
In addition, D’Arcy’s magnificent form would be upsetting for his competitors, if he faces no trouble in making his way to the London Games.
Tags: