Judas at the Olympics

There is no greater celebration of sport than the Olympic Games. It is the best athletes from around the world that make the 16 day competition so illustrious. For many athletes winning a place to compete at an Olympic Games is the ultimate dream. Two young Australian’s had earned this right but now their sports governing bodies are unfairly taking it away from them.

By now we all know about Nick D’Arcy and what happened at Bungalow 8 the night the Olympics swimming squad was announced. You have probably heard that he has now exhausted his last chance at competing in Beijing, when the Court of Arbitration for sport. There is no doubt what he did to former swimmer, Simon Cowley, was stupid but does the crime really fit the punishment?

I believe that D’Arcy has put the hard yards in at training, for possibly up to the last 15 years, and deserves his spot on the team. While he needs to be punished for his actions, his spot at the games should not be part of the punishment. I dare say many athletes would rather spend time in jail then have their chance at Olympic glory taken away from them. D’Arcy has clocked the 4th fastest time in the world this year, setting a new Australian record in the process. Now his career may be over!

Another young Aussie set for a staring role at the Olympics was Danny Vukovic. The Olyroo’s goalkeeper was initially suspended by the FFA and would not be allowed to compete at the games. The FFA then overturned their ruling and split his suspension so he could take his spot at the games. It seemed the right decision was finally made in favour of the athlete. FIFA, however had to step in and over rule the FFA. Vukovic will not be going to the Olympics.

Yet again, a small brain explosion by a young athlete means the end of a dream. I can’t be as harsh on Vukovic for lashing out after the referee missed a clear free kick in the dieing seconds of the A-League grand final. Perhaps it is lucky that the Olympics are not the pinnacle of football and Vukovic still has the FIFA World Cup to aim for.

I can’t say the actions of either athlete were exactly model like behaviour but I can say the punishment they have received is not correct. I believe the governing bodies need to support their athletes and not destroy their goal of competing at an Olympics!