The gun-toting Aussie swimmers who took pictures of themselves wielding a number of firearms have been punished by the Australian Olympic Committee for their behavior. While training with the Australian Olympic swim team in the U.S., Nick D’Arcy and Kenrick Monk, both 24, decided it would be great fun to take pictures of themselves holding weapons while hanging out inside a local gun shop. However, when they decided to upload the pics to Twitter and Facebook, the backlash promptly ensued. Sometimes it’s best to just keep things private.
As a result of their actions, both swimmers have been banned from using any form of social media during the 2012 Summer Olympics, which runs from July16 to August 15, 2012. Additionally, both D’Arcy and Monk will be sent back to Australia following the conclusion of the swimming events. I’m assuming that’s the same as going to bed without dinner.
“Australian Olympians are required to meet very high standards of conduct and we cannot risk the reputation of the team,” Australian chef de mission Nick Green explained. He also added that their actions illustrated a “lack of judgment”.
However, some feel that the punishment handed down to D’Arcy and Monk is a little hypocritical. According to Nine News, Queensland, the 2007 Australian Olympic swim team was allowed to attend a firing range in an attempt to improve their focus and give them an edge over their competitors, the photos from which were used to promote the team. Here’s the kicker: The excursion was paid for by the Australian Sports Commission.
Swimming Australia, meanwhile, has stated that they support the decision made by the Australian Olympic Committee, though they do intend to finish their own investigation into the matter.
