Nick D’Arcy doesn’t know when it will hit him. A clock and five rings have motivated every action for as long as he can remember. Every early morning wake-up, lap and gym session fuelled by an ambition to represent Australia at the Olympic Games.
D’Arcy booked his spot on the plane to London at the weekend, but he was far from elated – on the outside anyway.
The controversial star has been here before of course.
Four years ago a late night scuffle with former swimmer Simon Cowley saw him eventually booted off the Australian team for the Beijing Olympics.
The assault charges and legal battle that followed also denied him the chance to go to the World Championships in Rome in 2009.
Now, D’Arcy is not just part of the Australian team, but a red-hot chance of taking down American superstar Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly.
Debate has raged about D’Arcy ever since that night in Sydney in 2008.
Is he worthy of representing Australia? This isn’t just any team. It’s the Australian Olympic swim team. The pride of the nation for decades.
It’s a question that still makes him uncomfortable.
On Sunday night, he continually said all he could do was “control the controllable”.
It was a line used with the type of regularity that would make a politician proud.
If you take the reaction of the public in Adelaide as a guide then you’d have to come to the conclusion that D’Arcy has been forgiven for his past misdemeanours.
The mere mention of his name behind the blocks brought those in attendance to their feet. This wasn’t just a pocket of vocal supporters, but the whole crowd.
The noise increased ten-fold when he turned for home in the 200 fly.
D’Arcy admitted that he could hear them as well.
Is this just “swimming people” supporting their own or do you not care about his past anymore either?
There’s a school of thought that says missing an Olympics and a World Championships combined with the reputation-battering legal dispute is punishment enough.
Others say he has shown little remorse for his actions.
James Hogarth
Guest
No .... maybe 90% of your bogan/yobbo mates ..trent...not the 90% of reasonable aussie blokes.
James Hogarth
Guest
He apologised JUST BEFORE his sentence......then later withdrew it. What a disgraceful piece of work is Nick D'arcy.
Alfie
Guest
That is so right Big John. Now the public are learning that the criminal trial evidence about D'Arcy being provoked is doubtful. Cowley was sitting down in a seat and drinking when struck. He said something D'Arcy took an over the top offence to. Then Cowley put his arm up for a handshake as if to defuse it all. He did not do any hitting or slapping at all. The story about provocation is starting to seem more and more like a convenient swimming group fiction. D'Arcy the brat lives in a bubble of well mannered people who are uncertain about dealing with his behaviour. It would be so wonderful if he just went to some of the roughest Sydney nightclubs instead and tried it on with the many bouncers, martial artists and veteran street fighters who would flatten him in a real face to face contest. Go Phelps !!!!
Big john
Guest
Why does it keep being claimed that D'Arcy and Cowley did not know each other ? ...... They were both swimmers at the top level, and they were sitting at a table with Eamon Sullivan before the trouble started.. The claim that D'Arcy has 'slapped' by an unknown, bigger man, was raised by the legal team representing D'Arcy. That does not make it true. Ask anyone who has spent time in a courtroom, and they will tell you that solicitors, barristers, QC's etc, can say pretty much what they like, even if it is a complete falsehood. They are not under oath, so they are under no obligation to tell the truth. All they do is try to get their client off, or lessen the blame that can be attached .
Big john
Guest
Good point Lucan, the UK government prevents a lot of League players from joining English clubs because of convictions, so why should D'Arcy be any different. Another point is that as a declared bankrupt, would D'Arcy be entitled to keep any medals won in competition at the Olympics. As Simon Cowley is a creditor, surely he should be handed the medals. I saw an interview with one of the Aust women swimmers, and they were talking about a rugby league player getting into strife, and the associated publicity. She admitted that many things happened in swimming, but Swimming Aust covered most of it up. That was prior to the D'Arcy v Cowley incident. D'Arcy also failed an out of competition drugs test in 2010.
Robbie the Pig
Guest
Cowley slapped him first. He responded with excessive force. If someone you didn't know slapped you on the face after 10 15 drinks - What would you do?I mean the reason he didn't go to jail was because why......?
George
Guest
retaliation at once = no lawers, when the honor is the issu [ slap in face ] . Forgiveness after he was punnished by year descualifaction and exclusion . Nobode is explaining why drunken Cowley slap him ? WHY ? NowNick is only a swimmer representing OZ. He will be in 4 months a Golden Boy when he from all man squad swimmers only [ and Magnuson , too ] bring the GOLD from London.
KNACKERS
Guest
Countries hosting Olympics sign agreements that they will allow entry of all competitors ( although not neccessarily other "members of the Olympic Family (sic )
PLANKO
Guest
Go you good thing !! Tips for young players if you go out drinking and you don't like what is happening look down at your watch. If it is past 12 O'clock and you really can't stand it don't get involved get in a cab.... LOL
Glen Bennett
Guest
Does not deserve the opportunity, and he should pay up
Mick E
Guest
Well Nick 4years is long time and you have made THE TEAM go for it you deserve YOUR place bring back the gold. I know what it is to be Discriminated against a Viet Vet (65).
Christo
Guest
For those who have noted that Nick D'Arcy is going to London, that there is nothing anyone can do, so we might as well shut up or get behind him, I refer you to the following You Tube video where you can voice your support. Check it out and invite your friends to visit and to get their friends to visit... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwPYxZEhY7k&feature=youtu.be
Snorkella
Guest
Interesting point. In re to the Bankruptcy issue, I would imagine the trustee of the bankruptcy would allow him to travel and may have to apply to immigration in both Australia and the UK to grant him that right. It would be in the trustees best interests to let him go on the basis that he is likely to increase his earnings by going both in the short and longer terms.. BTW, if after the Olympics D'Arcy announces that he will make a contribution to the amount he owes Cowley, its likely that he will have earned above the threshold and will have no choice in the matter. In re to the conviction, this may hinder his chances of getting into the UK, however the Olympics have a higher profile globally than say the AFL, so this may work in his favour. Saying that though, the Poms are hell bent on beating us on the medal table, so a memo to all immigration staff may have already been sent out!
Christo
Guest
For those who have noted that Nick D'Arcy is going to London, that there is nothing anyone can do, so we might as well shut up or get behind him, I refer you to the following You Tube video where you can voice your support. Check it out and invite your friends to visit and to get their friends to visit... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwPYxZEhY7k
Lucan
Hmm. Could his conviction stop him from entering the UK? The US makes it difficult for people with a criminal record gaining a visa (they recently denied Andrew Krakauer entry, but have permitted Dane Swan repeatedly, so it isn't a consistent rule). Most countries also require proof you're financially able to support yourself. Could his self-declared bankruptcy affect this, or because he's travelling on the AOC dollar is that not a consideration?
Christo
Guest
Support Nick D'Arcy? He is a role model--for any thug out there who wants to assault someone and get off. People who support Darcy should understand that (1) Darcy was found guilty of assaulting Simon Cowley (2) that compensation for Simon Cowley was set to cover medical costs, legal costs, loss of income, and to the LESSER amount pain and suffering, i.e. largely to pay costs Cowley incurred SOLEY because of Darcy’s actions (3) that by taking the cowardly option of declaring bankruptcy Darcy, not only assaulted Cowley but also made Cowley pay for his medical and legal costs and bear the loss of income as a result of his assault. I continue to call on people to boycott all sponsors who take on Darcy and to turn their back if he goes to the Olympics (someone please stop this shame from happening, even if it has to be officials from London stopping him at entry). An alternative… if Darcy really wants to show some character, would be to contractually pay all sponsorship money to Simon UNTIL his debt is paid in full. Surely we cannot support this person’s actions.
Dave
Guest
One can only hope that someone bumps into him in the Olympic village and he clocks them, then gets sent home in disgrace before hitting the pool.
KNACKERS
Guest
All the other sports covered on this site have a multitude of participants who are , shall we say , known to police . For some reason to certain people this is an issue if the sport is an Olympic one but not so much if the sport is a non Olympic one ( or perhaps that should read an essentially non Olympic one for eg boxing ) That is the more interesting question . Wish someone could spell out why
Drew
Guest
Conflicting feelings on this bloke... He has earnt his place to swim for his country... No mean feat by any measure. But... Something about this guy leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Ignore his priveleged background... Ignore the bankrupt status... He's Just very hard to warm to. To fully support him in London I'll need to see a young man that casts aside the media training and robotic responses. We love an Aussie that fights back from adversity... But we can't stand a coward. Balls in his court...
brian
Guest
I hope he comes last. More importantly whatever he does it won't absolve him if his thuggery act for which he should be held accountable. Any money he makes should go to Cowley