Should this Olympic Swimmer be Banned from Beijing?
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
April 1, 2008 8:45pm CST
We watched the olympic swimming trials that latest two weeks with great interest. Last Friday night the Olympic swimming team was announced.
A few hours after this, 20 year old Olympic swimmer,Nick D'Arcy, assaulted another swimmer. The assault was very grevious. The victim, was left with multiple facial injuries, including a broken jaw and nose.
His excuse was that he was drunk.
Assault charges have been laid.
More importantly, Swim Australia are meeting to decide if this swimmer should be banned from participating in the Olympics.
It is hard for me to judge this. On the one hand, the assault was extremely serious, & my inclination is that he does not deserve to be in the Olympic team.
On the other hand, I am well aware of how much trainig goes into swimming.
What would be your opinion?
4 people like this
11 responses
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
2 Apr 08
Hard training or not... that man do not deserve to be in the Olympic team... if he was able to do it to a team mate... what's stopping him from assaulting swimmers from other countries...
If he pull that same stunt infront of other delegates... that will put Australia in a bad light... since he is not representing himself... but the whole country...
It seeems that all those hard days of training did not instill discipline, camaraderie in him...
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
2 Apr 08
What this athlete did was a crime anywhere and he should be charged for this crime. I am sure most countries would not want them represented by a criminal on their countries Olympic team. Would this happen again if he was allowed to compete even though their is no drinking allowed?
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
2 Apr 08
I think he should be banned, as he caused another person to not be able to compete. We all must be accountable for our actions and it shouldn't matter who we are now. I know many hours are involved to be on the Olympic Team, as my mother almost made the team many years ago. She was an alternate.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Apr 08
The swimmer who was assaualted was apparently about to retire from swimming anyway, but that is beside the point.
And wow, what event was your Mother nearly in for the Olympics?
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
2 Apr 08
I don't think he should be allowed to swim in the olympics with an attitude like that. What he did was a real shame. He shouldn't have drunk in the first place and why drink if you can't control yourself. That was a real stupid thing he did. 
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
2 Apr 08
WOW!! This is the first I've heard about this. Given that the Olympics are supposed to signify the coming together of nations and friendly, peaceful competition, I think it would be a bad idea to allow this guy to go. How stupid can you be? To train that hard your entire life to reach this pinnacle and toss it away is just crazy
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Apr 08
Exactly, It is very stupid, but it is also worrying, that he is capable of commiting such a serious assault.
1 person likes this
@paid2write (5201)
•
2 Apr 08
I think he should be banned because the way he has behaved goes against all the ethics of the Olympic Games. How can someone who is violent take part in an event which celebrates friendly participation in competitive sports.
Being drunk is no excuse for what he did. He has given up his right to take part in the games by his own action and no way should be be allowed to compete now. He may have another chance to enter in 2012, if he behaves himself and can keep up the training.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Apr 08
Yes, As he was only 20 years, he does have the chance to try again for the 2012 olypmics. To be honest, I am stunned by what he did. My daughters swimming club is very strict about behaviour.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
2 Apr 08
Beiong on a countries Olympic team you represent what your country stands for, for the most part. With this action I feel this athlete should be banned from copmpeteing totaly. This does not represent any persons type of athlete they want to see on their team. I sure wouldn't.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Apr 08
We re going to hear an announcement tomorrow as to whether this swimmer remains on the team or not. I think there will be a lot of anger from the Australian Public if he remains.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
2 Apr 08
I think he should have to pay the consequences for his actions especially as he assaulted another swimmer. The injuries received by the other swimmer could affect his chances of winning. So yes I think he should be banned.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Apr 08
So far, 100% of of respondants said he should be banned. I dread to think what will happen if swimming Australia allow him to continue being in the Olympics.
@AmbiePam (92745)
• United States
2 Apr 08
This seems clear cut to me, but of course this swimmer is not from my country. I think the first thing is, that swimmer is supposed to be representing his country. Does his country really want someone with that kind of character to represent them? I would hope not. We all lose our jobs if we do something that is out of line. No matter how qualified we are, if we do something like that, we pay for it. This gentlemen has no one to blame but himself. I hope he is banned and someone else can take his place who is more deserving.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
2 Apr 08
I don't care how much training goes into these competitions, if one can't control his drinking or his hands then he needs to be banned. If he's not punished then what example is he setting for the future olympic team players? That he/she can do as they please and not be held accountable. No way, they need to be held accountable so it's thought about before they do something so stupid.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
2 Apr 08
Very true. Elite athletes in Australia are held in very high esteem. Thus, their behaviour has to be an example, especially to the young & teenagers who are heavily influenced.
@Alle91 (188)
• Australia
11 Apr 08
Yeah it was pretty serious...I honestly can't say if they should ban him or not (I'm glad I can leave it up to the AOC). But seeing as the Olympics is about sport, this incident doesn't really have much to do with his swimming ability...but he obviously doesn't make Australia too too well and isn't setting a very good example.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
12 Apr 08
I was watching a report on this TV last night, & they still haven't come to a decision. This is because they are investigating reports of at least one other previous assault committed by this swimmer.
