June 11, 2008

THE Australian Olympic Committee has voted unanimously to sack swimmer Nick D'Arcy from its Beijing Games team.

But D'Arcy said he will again appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"I will appeal, it is already in the works,'' D'Arcy said after he was told of the AOC's decision.

The AOC executive rejected a submission from D'Arcy and his legal team that he was a fit and proper person to represent his country at the Olympics.

Chairman of the meeting, AOC vice-president Ron Harvey, said the members took into account the standards of behaviour expected of an Australian Olympian.

"To terminate the membership of an athlete from the Australian Olympic team is a very serious matter,'' he said.

"After careful consideration we have reached a decision based on that responsibility.''

The ruling restored an initial decision made in April by AOC president John Coates, which was subsequently overturned by the CAS after the swimmer appealed.

D'Arcy is due in court next week to answer a charge of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm to retired swimmer Simon Cowley, an offence which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' jail.

D'Arcy said he would continue training for the Beijing Games until every last option open to him was exhausted.