D'Arcy could make a comeback: Fraser
Published 9:15a.m. 18th April 2008
Updated 3:46p.m. 18th April 2008
The decision to dump Nick D'Arcy from the 2008 Olympic swim team is basically a life sentence, says his coach.
Olympic legend Dawn Fraser says Sunshine Coast swimmer Nick D’Arcy has the ability to make a comeback after he was dumped from the Australian team for the Beijing Games.
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates informed the swimmer of his decision this morning after an AOC investigation following the 20-year-old’s nightclub altercation with former Commonwealth swimming champion Simon Cowley in Sydney last month.
D’Arcy is facing charges of assault and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm for his alleged attack on Cowley.
“I think he’s got a lot of ability and I’ve seen him improve over the last couple of years,” Fraser told AAP.
“If he doesn’t go to Beijing, he’s got an extra three years of hard training ahead of him to prove that he can make the distance as an Olympian and I’d suggest to him that would be the way he should go.”
The three-time Olympic 100m freestyle champion said as a professional athlete D’Arcy has the mental strength to overcome his disappointment and return to the pool.
“He’s a swimmer, he’s got a strong mental attitude which you’ve got to have to be a swimmer and I think D’Arcy could overcome this,” she said.
Fraser added that while Coates’ words were “a bit harsh”, the AOC had no option but to dump the Australian 200m butterfly champion from the team.
Read John Coates' statement here
Coach Brian Stehr told reporters outside the D’Arcy family's Point Cartwright home that Coates’ decision had probably ended D’Arcy’s swimming career.
“I doubt that he will swim again; this will be the end of his swimming career,” he said.
“Basically for him it’s a life sentence if you consider that perhaps your one opportunity to swim in the Olympics has been taken away from you.”
Mr Stehr said D’Arcy was taking the news “pretty well”.
“Nick’s an elite athlete so he takes experiences in his stride and comes through it.
“We’d received advice (about the decision) just before the official announcement.”
He described the decision as unfair.
“I think it amounts to a penalty that basically affects him for the rest of his life and that’s not fair. It doesn’t give him an opportunity to move forward from this and show his true character.”
Nick's father, Justin D'Arcy, said his son would not be making any comments today, and pleaded for the family to be given back its privacy.
“Today’s decision comes as a huge disappointment to Nick, to his family and to all his supporters after years of hard work in preparation towards his Olympic dream," Mr D'Arcy said.
“I think if you look at this, you can understand our position and the difficult position we find ourselves in and the great disappointment that we have just at present.”
Mr Coates told a press conference this morning that D’Arcy was entitled to the presumption of innocence over the charges he faced.
However, he said he had been required to consider the swimmer’s conduct in respect to “a number of incidents”, not just the one he was charged with, and make a "difficult decision" about whether he had brought the sport into disrepute.
“It's clear that being charged with criminal offences of such a serious nature is sufficient to bring Nicholas and the sport of swimming into disrepute and is likely to bring the team and the AOC into disrepute if he continues to be a member of the team,” Mr Coates said
He said he had therefore decided that the 20-year-old's membership of the 2008 Olympic swim team must be terminated, and added that he had informed D'Arcy of his decision this morning.
“It goes without saying that the reputation of the sport of swimming, the Olympic team and the Australian Olympic Committee is of the highest level in this country and must remain so,” Mr Coates said.
He said membership of the team was a privilege to enjoy and the standards expected of our athletes were extremely high.
“Those standards and the achievements of our team are matters of which Australians are justifiably proud.”
Mr Coates said the Australian 200m butterfly champion had made submissions to the AOC, with numerous references from coaches and supporters, and would have the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
D’Arcy’s future on the Australian swim team for the August Games has been up in the air since the incident in Sydney, which left Cowley with multiple facial fractures and occurred following the naming of the team last month.
D'Arcy will appear in a Sydney court on Monday to face charges relating to the Cowley incident.
Further claims also emerged that D’Arcy had allegedly bashed a fellow Sunshine Coast athlete, Mooloolaba ironman Tim Peach, during a drunken altercation outside a Mooloolaba night club 18 months ago, and that he was part of a group which vandalised the home of Coast Olympian Ray Boyd two years ago.
D’Arcy was back in the pool training at Kawana late last week to ensure he would be in the best possible shape to shoot for a medal if his place was confirmed.
“I just want to get there (Beijing) and do right by everyone,” he said last Friday.
> What the Daily says about the decision to drop Nick D'Arcy from the Olympic swim team
(As Nick D'Arcy's case has now begun before the court, thedaily.com.au has suspended comments on this story.)
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Recent Comments
His guilt is for the courts to decide, not the community nor the AOC.
They have made a presumption of his guilt before the courts have made their decision which is completely unfair.
Aside from anything else, what he does in his own time is his own business. Corporations would be sued if they sacked workers for the fun and games they get up to in their own time.
Swimming is about laps in the pool, not about what the swimmers do when they get out. This is completely unjust.
He was granted the privilege of a spot in the Olympic team - a position that comes with great public scrutiny.
He abused that position - and I would imagine, contravened clauses in his contract requiring him to represent Australia and the AOC - therefore the committee had no other choice here.
Bravo on a good decision - it's about time a message was sent to these supposed sporting celebrities: the fact that you have some sporting talent does not give you the right to act like a common thug.
The very fact the incident was widely reported (and will continue to attract negative press as Nick's trial progresses) has, without question, bought the sport of swimming into disrepute... only an idiot would argue otherwise!
D'Arcy knew what was expected of him when he became an elite swimmer, and he has reportedly let everyone down on more than one occasion.
A significant amount of taxpayer money has gone into his development, so he has let us all down, not only himself, his coach and his friends.
He should have been pulled aside when the first incident occurred, and been cautioned again as to what was expected of him. (This may well have happened - I don't know)
Either way, Australia is the loser.
Ok he's not exactly a poster boy for the sport, but surely the point of the Olympics is for the best of the best to compete.
Basically the decision is that they've decided not to let a qualified swimmer compete on the basis of a number of yet unverified accusations.
As young as a lot of these swimmers are I'll bet there are *very* few who've not done *something* wrong in their lives. Nick was just unlucky that the time his misdemeanor occurred he was in the full glare of the media.
He made a mistake... dumping him from the team was a worse one. The most he should have been given is a warning and a 'last chance'.
What Nick D'Arcy does on his own time is HIS business.
Plenty of people do the same thing every weekend, however they just do not make the papers! If anyone bought the sport of swimming into disrepute it is the media for rampantly publishing blown up reports which have no evidence or fact to support them, which then cast Nick in a bad light (and if we remember they also cast a smear on Libby Trickett, Eamon Sullivan, Emily Sebhom, and Steph Rice for their out of the pool antics).
If anyone should be banned from the Olympics it is the Australian media!
Mark my words there will be a lot more about that night that will come out in court on Monday and they will cast a vastly different light on just what happened.
Secondly, it wouldnt have been a work function... (nor would the alleged occasion with Tim Peach). I hang out with workmates all the time outside work hours that does not maketh a work function.
Despite "alwaysright from maroochydore" being incapable of forming an argument without attacking the opposition, i do agree with his sentiments that he should be punished by the judiciary... and certainly NOT found guilty before the judiciary have made a call.
The AOC have found him guilty before he has been to court, therefore prejudicing any trial he may have to face... so he isn't going to be given punishment for his actions because no jury member in the country will have been able to avoid knowing about this.
Shame on the AOC for not allowing justice to take its course before making their decisions.
How crap would they feel if he happened to have been found innocent.
And before you crazy bloggers start waxing lyrical with statements like 'of course he will be found guilty'... unless you were there, or are going to be the judge on the trial, you have no idea.
I think a few people will be looking in their closets for skeletons before they fly out to Beijing.
furthermore, the AOC admitted he was entitled to a presumption of innocence but the mere laying of charges was enough to bring him and the team into disrepute - what part of that do you not understand ? - i feel for d'arcy but he did the wrong thing and like everyone, he will suffer the consequences of his actions
old man... deal with it, youth swear! The sooner the older generation come to terms with that, the happier this planet will be... its in the dictionary dude. I bet you say bloody and your parents had a fit when you first used that... puh-lease, no wonder youth are voilent, we have old fogies who still exist in another era to deal with.
Perhaps he apologised because he was sorry for his mere existence... the media and public have decided he is guilty already, he may as well say sorry.
Unfortunately, there are too many people, adults included, who are unable to undertake an argument without resorting to foul language, abuse and bullying, threatening behaviour. This inability to communicate appropriately is, in my opinion, the cause of so many of society's problems and is a potentially greater problem than the use or misuse of alcohol and drugs.
Mind you, we're all entitled to have a brain snap occasionally and vent our anger!
The decision by the AOC is also spot on the mark. The reasons are carefully thought-out and worded, and make it very clear that the mere fact that he has been charged with a very serious criminal offence brings the sport, the Olympic Team, and the country he was going to represent, into disrepute.
This is correctly based on the balance of probabilities, a standard of proof much lower than the criminal standard of proof. The decision is not based on any assumption of guilt, and there is no reference at all in the AOC's reasons to whether he did it or not.
However, I have observed that no-one, including other swimmers who observed the incident, his family, coach and friends, and Darcy himself, has ever denied that it was Darcy who caused Cowley's horrific injuries.
Whether there is more to the incident, such as provocation or self-defence, is a matter for the Court, which is operating under a totally different standard of proof and set of rules.
The only way this decision by the AOC could ever be proved to be wrong is if it becomes clear in the criminal proceedings that Darcy was not the one who caused Cowley's injuries.
Also in regards to what he does in his own time is his own business I totally disagree. Here is a guy who has for years been trained in the best facilities in the world by the best coaches in the world at the expense of the australian taxpayer. As far as I am concerned that sort of privelege comes with added responsibilities. He is representing his home town, his state, his country and in doing so should behave appropriately. What he did is the same thing as the man who allegedly hit Josh Mill, the only difference is the outcome. Would you have these two people treated any differently because he swims fast?
I also hope that if he is found guilty he is jailed for his actions as it may send a clear message to the men of limited maturity of what is acceptable and what is not while drinking.
to "borisette from Coolum Beach" welcome to 2008, nice of you to join us, i know it is vastly different from 1932 but im sure you will get used to it, if you don't like it, you can always go back... i believe parts of rural queensland still exist in that time, you might feel more at home. I think the catch-cry out there is children should be seen and not heard, women in the kitchen, all gays and immigrants should be hung!
If D'Arcy did commit the crime then he will do the time, the court will find him guilty and punish him accordingly, its not up to the AOC to decide what sort of punishment should be handed out before, after or during a trial.
When a criminal offence occurs organisations should stay out of it and let the courts make the decisions completely independently, there is no way it is going to be a fair trial now.
People are allowed to have reasonable opinions that differ from yours, don't they?
... and talk about someone unable to form an opinion without attacking their opposition!
What about one of the current shooters? Look back over the years!!
Cooroy Kid doesn't even try to disguise his attacks on others in the middle of his opinion, he just comes out and says it... he should perhaps form an opinion before attacking someone for theirs.
If the charge that D'Arcy has been accused of is bringing the sport into disrepute then sack the dude from the AOC for bringing the sport into disrepute by making dumb decisions.
That said, it does not make Nick's decision to retaliate to provocation correct. Lets assume that he did retaliate to provacation.
We don't seem to be hearing anything of Simon Cowley's slap (hit), but that is presumably because Nick did not sustain any physical damage.
Two people were wrong in this situation. I feel really sad for Nick and I know this will be life changing for him. Some have to learn life's lessons the hard way.
Seeing the damage caused to Simon Cowley it had to be more than one hit returned.
Perhaps his parents should have invested in anger management classes!!
I wasn't attacking your opinion. I was attacking your lack of respect for anyone other than yourself.
I was trying to get through to you that you are acting like a child.
Your latest post confirms that, and that you seem to have very serious anger problems.
Hope I don't run into you tonight!!!!
I just read back through my posts and couldnt see any anger there.
Maybe you just feel angry in general and expect others to be as well.
I hope i don't run into you either, you sound boring!
But my final note on this topic... it will be interesting to see how the AOC reacts when Nick's defence get this case chucked out because the public will all presume his guilt due to the AOC's actions, and therefore if the charges are dropped they won't have a leg to stand on for getting him kicked out in the first place.
maybe it was their plan all along... oooh one for the conspiracy theorists.
"Buderimtu", I believe you are making your own presumptions on how many times Simon Cowley was hit. I don't suppose you were there. You have missed the point, in the fact that Cowley was not in the right for starting the conflict. As I said two people were wrong in this situation.
olympics are a farce
who cares
athletes arent heroes
You would think that enough punishment has been dished out by those of you who weren't there but have felt the need to share your opinions on what must have happened anyway when you have no idea what happened.
It is so easy to call for his withdrawal, but if it was your son would you be calling for the same thing, or would you be supporting him quietly and privately and letting the appropriate judges do their jobs as D'Arcy's family have done?
Let it go and let the appropriate people do their jobs.
If D'Arcy is found innocent or the charges are dropped I would hope he would appeal the decision and be allowed to swim.
Darc'y must wait 4 years to compete at the highest level for allegedly punching in the early hours of morning infront of a few bar patrons...
A comeback in boxing perhaps?
John Coates says that he has taken into account previous events, which should never have come into it. Those people, Tim Peach and others should be very proud of themselves.
Perhaps Nick should change sports and take up league or AFL, that way he can get a seven week suspension and go back to what he does.
I feel for you Nick, years and years of training for this one event have now come to an end.
The press should be ashamed of themselves for their actions.
For all of you that are screaming nail him to the cross, well that's for the courts to decide and mark my words, when the truth comes out, it won't be Nick D'Arcy your nailing on that cross.
What I want to know is who is going to be nailed to the cross, as fairgo08 puts it... what do you know that everyone else doesn't? if Nick has been tried by the media, why not share what you know in his defence?
the sooner this is put to bed the better, for the sake of everyone involved.
History will tell the tale.
Whatever the outcome in the Court, humble pie will be on the menu.
Sad for Brian Stehr. He coached my kids ages ago.
Great bloke and very good Coach.
The whole event should have been left out of the media until the case was delt with by the courts.
I wholeheartedly agree that after the trial and all the info comes out others involved will be viewed in a very different light to how they are viewed now.
However Nathan from Caloundra, obviously all parties have been gagged until they appear in court on Monday and therefore so have their families and close friends. And yeah maybe some people do know more than others about the incident, but its not up to anyone in the public to condemn him.
Nick has been trialled by the media when this should never have been reported as news until after court on Monday. The only people guilty of bring swimming Australia into disrepute is the Australian media. Ban them from the games.
Sure there is a big disappointed with his family but rules are rule you cant have one rule for one person and dirrerent rules for the others. there is a boundry
The 'Rule' says (I guess) you must, at all times be a very good person, if you want to be an Australian Olympian. Do nothing which might attract attention to you.......but, you are allowed to swim very fast.
How about this...........
Some bloke inappropriately affronts your Wife......at a distance from where you are.
And, as a matter of simple human instinct......having no reference/regard to your Olympian status.......you react, and you run the distance of separation, and using some physical force.....you manage to protect your Wife, but, in doing so, with just one blow, the attacker is left damaged.
You are charged.
And if recent history is any guide, for no reason other than what is entirely lawful, you are thrown out of the Olympic team.
Yuk.
Yet, by way of comparison, disgraced drunk and druggie Joey Johns is now lauded.............as rugby league's best ever half back.
Thanks to choices made by the Media.
Tough and unfair stuff, Nick, but you can thank the Press/Media for your present position, and not what happened that night.
I will mark my dissent by never buying The (SC) Daily ever again.
I'll keep reading here......
Notwithstanding that, he (Nick) needed to use the clarity, discretion and tenacity that makes him a world champion, fuelled by alcohol he allegedly didn't.
For my part, as a lesser sports achiever, and after a particularly tough game of football and copious quantities of drink, I broke a bloke's jaw.
As with many things, it should have never gotten to that point, but he continued to pick at me, then others suggest I'd been intimidated, beaten etc and then some athletes react with tragic repercussions.
Sour grapes can be a sad motivator for many, not the least for those who never fulfilled any sporting dreams, but judge every misjudgement or action of high achievers.
Stop this judgemental crap, don't let our history be continually soiled by dramas that could have been avoided. Vaille Dawn Fraser, athletes who missed Moscow, tragedies that could have been avoided. You can not put time back in a bottle.
Let Nick Go, put him under rules, but let him go!!
cheers
Richard
Yes it would have been a hard decision but a THOROUGHLY JUST ONE! Don’t worry though and mark my words, Nick's daddy will undoubtedly once again come to his little 'bad mannered' boys rescue and once again pump a heap of dollars into getting the spoilt little rich kid out of the poo YET AGAIN!! For god’s sake Justin D'Arcy let your kid take responsibility just once! Let’s not forget some of the other people he allegedly had a go at as well - Tim Peach and dual Olympian Ray Boyd and his son Matt up there on the Sunshine coast.
Ed: Peach later said the date on the photos was wrong because the owner of the camera failed to set the date mechanism when he bought it.
- As stated in our original report, Tim Peach himself admits that he was not without any blame in the incident which happened with D'Arcy. Both he and D'Arcy were 'pretty drunk', he said, and mouthing off at each other. We didn't take a position but believed it was in the public interest - and the interest of swimming, that the story be told. Peach only revealed the story, reluctantly, because he felt guilty for what allegedly happened to Cowley. Had we buried that story and another incident happened in Beijing, as a paper we would not have done our duty by the Australian public - Editor
And......what is this stuff about Peach revealing the story reluctantly, "because he felt guilty for what allegedly happened to Cowley?'
You assert that proposition as fact, and in doing so, implicitly, you have accepted Peach's word as gospel.
- Reread the original story Bob - it's online
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/apr...
I've now read that.
Just what admission did Peach make that he was 'not without blame.'
Cute phrase, that......not without blame.
And, Editor, what of my challenge that you have implicitly accepted Peach's version with your comment that:
"Peach only revealed the story, reluctantly, because he felt guilty for what allegedly happened to Cowley."
Embedded within that is your acceptance of what Peach has told you.
- Well Bob, ultimately it's up to you what you believe - I was just starting my opinion on it - whether you accept that or go on believing that there is some grand conspiracy by the Daily to get Nick D'Arcy is ultimately up to you. - Editor
Interesting, there's no conflict of interest or bias there?
It is my opinion that if nothing happened in Beijing, as would most likely be the case as Nick would have been put on a pretty short leash, then all the Peach article did was contribute to tarnishing Nick's reputation and having him kept off the team. In that case it would be less 'in the public interest' and more to sell Daily papers.
Having said that I don't believe the Daily is 'out to get' Nick, but I do think there were some lapses of judgement when publishing that article.
- Tim Peach's mother works as a general sub-editor at the Daily and has done so for many years. Previously she was the Daily's Sports Editor. She had no role in the story that was produced in either the writing or editing of the story - or indeed the Daily's decision to publish the story. - Editor
If you can cast your minds back to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona the coverage Clint Robinson got from winning gold I am quite sure the daily would sell twice as many papers having another local GOLD medal winner like Nick on the coast, So I doubt they would try to sabotage Nick's chance to go to Beijing and bring home gold...........
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