Australia’s swimming team behaved more like schoolboys than Olympians in camp before the London Games, according to a member of the under-fire men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.
Heat swimmer Tommaso D’Orsogna has spoken out about allegations of misbehaviour within the team and said a deterioration of the team’s cohesion in recent years contributed to it underperforming in London.
D’Orsogna also claimed some squad members were “putting themselves up higher than the rest of the team.”
Admitting he was among those who “misbehaved”, D’Orsogna told the Ten Network that members of the men’s relay team engaged in “disappointing” behaviour during the team’s pre-Games training camp in Manchester, including making prank calls and knocking on bedroom doors.
“I suppose the thing is, people are kind of saying `it’s just boys being being boys’ but unfortunately I come back and I look back on that kind of thing and maybe that would be acceptable in schoolboys rugby … but this is the Australian Olympic team,” 21-year-old D’Orsogna said.
“That kind of behaviour shouldn’t be tolerated nor should it be allowed.
“I can definitely confirm that there’s no way that any other Australian team that went away to the Olympics would have been mucking around and doing that stuff.”
Asked about allegations members of the six-man relay team, also featuring James Magnussen, Eamon Sullivan, Matt Targett, James Roberts and Cameron McEvoy, had also devised an “initiation ritual” that involved taking sleeping drug Stilnox – which was banned from the Australian Olympic team – D’Orsogna said: “I’m not going to be that guy that lies on media.
“I’m not going to be the guy that stands up here and lies to Australia but at the same time I’m just not going to comment.”
Australia’s swimmers claimed only one gold medal in London, their worst haul since the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Favoured for gold, the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team failed to win a medal when fourth in their final.
The Swimming Australia board is preparing to launch a review into the performance, expected to be headed by former swimmers and board members Kieren Perkins and Tim Ford.
D’Orsogna, who has been on the namtional team since 2009, said it was vital the review addressed the issues within the squad.
“The thing to do now is make sure we’re catching some of the issues that have gone wrong and make sure we don’t slide any further down.”
jameswm
Guest
Rubbish. The guy did his time and had already been dumped from an Olympics and a world champs. You have to give the guy a second chance at some stage. The two are separate issues.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
In my experience with swimming ( junior to nat open ) bullying, favouritism and elitism are not uncommon and it is commonly driven by the coaches. They should have to meet the same criteria and teachers and other childworkers when dealing with children.
John Robson
Guest
Would you really want your child involved with swimming at the moment ,if this is how the so called elite athletes behave, and the swim aust coaches and admin should show leadership and discipline , as the brave young whistle-blower said a fish rots from the head down. Let's hope this review is a real step towards a great aussie swim team again.
Bondy.
Guest
Swimming Australia seem to only investigate their public image. Its like Romper Room this.
Mantis
Roar Guru
I lost faith when Nick D'Arcy was picked. Says it all about Swimming Australia
Ballymore
Guest
I imagine this would be better dealt with internally. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Dcnz
Guest
The real scandal is that the CEO of swimming Australia is paid $340k a year and there are no former swimmers on the board. it's a total scam .. Disgrace and outrage ...
Mona
Guest
I absolutely hate that boys-being-boys rubbish. It's just society at large giving young men an excuse for bad behaviour that they shouldn't be allowed to get away with. Why don't you hear very many stories of our female athletes messing up? Because there's no ready-made excuse to dismiss their behaviour. The social boundaries are different and it's crap. END FEMINIST RANT!!!
langou
Roar Guru
“I suppose the thing is, people are kind of saying `it’s just boys being being boys’ but unfortunately I come back and I look back on that kind of thing and maybe that would be acceptable in schoolboys rugby … but this is the Australian Olympic team" What a great quote, I give full credit to Tommaso D’Orsogna for being honest enough to admit such a thing
Pope Paul VII
Guest
If egos are not kept in check, by it's nature, swimming is prone to following the leader. So if the leaders are acting the fool more focussed swimmers will mow them down.
BigAl
Guest
What I'd like to know is who, apart from 'The Missile' and the mens 4x100 . . . 'failed' at these Olympics ?? Who else was top ranked in their event and didn't win gold ? Was everyone just expecting too much ?
Eric
Guest
Surprise, surprise! Bring back John Coates, au revoir Nick Green.
Bernie Gee
Guest
Pack of brats