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Australia gets tough on athletes' behaviour

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-09 11:51

SYDNEY - The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is introducing tough new rules to ensure athletes behave in an appropriate manner before being selected for the Games.

Athletes will have to declare criminal charges and convictions or any conduct not in the team's best interests, the AOC said in a statement on Monday.

Australian swimmer Nick D'Arcy was dropped from the team for this year's Beijing Olympics after he was charged by police with assault following an incident in a Sydney nightclub.

"Athletes will be asked to consent to the AOC making enquiries, which may include police checks," AOC director of sport Fiona de Jong said, adding that each case would be considered on merit.

"The AOC has sole and absolute discretion and that discretion may be exercised to select an athlete who may have served a punishment and demonstrated good behaviour," she said.

De Jong said the Australian team had experienced few behavioural issues in Beijing.

"The Nick D'Arcy matter sent a strong message to other athletes to conduct themselves appropriately when selected to an Australian team -- both on and off the field," she said.