Australian swimming rocked by abuse claim

Terry Buck. Photo / Getty Images

CANBERRA - Swimming Australia boss Kevin Neil has vowed that there will be no "cover-up" over accusations of sexual abuse against a former head coach and "inappropriate" behaviour by Alan Thompson, his successor.

Former Australian swim team coach and manager Terry Buck, who died in a tractor accident in 2005, was yesterday accused of abusing a number of elite Australian swimmers.

The allegations were made by a former Australian swim team captain and Olympic medallist.

He told News Ltd that Buck first targeted him as an 11-year-old at Clovelly Surf Club, and the abuse lasted for the next seven years.

Neil said yesterday that he was appalled by the claims. "Swimming Australia has never received any complaints in relation to Terry Buck. While I did not know Terry, many, many people speak very highly of him."

The allegations couldn't have come at a worse time for the national body, with Neil forced to announce that head coach Thompson had taken personal leave after being accused of "inappropriate" behaviour.

Neil said the media had brought the anonymous and unsubstantiated claim to SA's attention.

"The Swimming Australia board discussed the matter and Alan has agreed to take personal leave while the matter is looked into further. As far as we know, the claim is not of a criminal nature."

Neil said SA would commence an independent investigation into the allegation, which he said was not an assault claim. "[But] it is a concern enough for all of us that we are going to have a look at it," he said.

"Swimming Australia will not be involved in any cover-up, in any way shape or form, of any incident."

The organisation would also participate in any police investigations that may result from claims levelled at Buck. Police began investigating abuse allegations in 1998, and were handed a list of 29 other alleged victims, including four Olympic swimmers.

One was a celebrated gold medallist, and two surfing champions were on the list, News Ltd reported.

Strike Force Solano spent five months investigating the claims after the Sydney Olympic Games, but the case was dropped in early 2001 because of insufficient evidence.

Neil said he'd spoken to two former SA bosses and neither they, nor he, could remember any complaints about Buck. Police also didn't question any of the organisation's officials as part of their investigation.

Inquiry head Peter Yeomans said a number of alleged victims had refused to co-operate.

- AAP