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Wednesday, 04 January 2006 |
Swimming coach Bill Sweetenham cleared of bullying charges
National swimming performance director Bill Sweetenham looks set to be
cleared of the charge of alleged bullying following an inquiry launched
by British Swimming.
Bill Sweetenham rejected the allegations and said he had come close to quitting the sport.
An article in The Times newspaper last August had alleged the
Australian had contributed to the retirement of 13 Olympic athletes but
it is understood that a report into these allegations has found there
is no case to answer.
One of the main people to make the accusations was former British 100m
and 200m breaststroke record-holder Jaime King, who claimed she was
humiliated by Bill Sweetenham at the 2003 World Championships, although
the coach offered a different version of what took place.
Bill Sweetenham coached Australia at four Olympic Games and was quick to defend himself at the time the inquiry was launched.
"I've been coaching for 30 years - males, females, all levels - and I've never had a problem," Bill Sweetenham said.
"All of a sudden now, because I set high standards and try to move British swimming on, I'm a bully. I've never been a bully."
The independent inquiry was carried out by former police
officer Bob Rogers who interviewed swimmers, coaches and
administrators.
And following the article's publication, Bill Sweetenham was also defended by Olympic bronze medallist David Davies.
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