Barclay Nettlefold Resigns as President of Swimming Australia

From Swimming savior to resignation: in just over 24 hours, the controversy surrounding Swimming Australia president Barclay Nettlefold has resulted in his resignation from his role.

Swimming Australia released the following statement on Nettlefold’s behalf today:

I would like to announce that the Board of Swimming Australia has today accepted, with immediate effect, my resignation as President.

My decision to step down will ensure the significant progress and substantial positive change to the sport of swimming in this country continues.

There were some private comments I made in jest to my colleagues recently that were not consistent with the standards expected of me, standards I have urged to be incorporated into the future culture of Swimming Australia.

I am proud to have initiated two independent inquiries into swimming and I commend the people who have worked with me and supported the drive for change. They all have the institution of swimming in Australia at their heart and together I believe we have made great progress in a very short period of time.

Nettlefold first told reporters on Saturday that he had made an inappropriate comment to a consultant on an elevator during April’s National Championships, for which he apologized to the woman to whom they were made.

Later that day, more accusations were made public by high-ranking officials in Swimming Australia, and this time there were multiple witnesses. As a result, the Board of Directors “stood him down,” or effectively suspended him, while they investigated further.

Nettlefold decided that the best route for him was a resignation. This is something that he possibly could have survived in a different atmosphere, but with his charge to correct similar behaviors within the National Team of Australia, it would have been a hard recovery.

Now, Australia, who has turned-over almost every major position in their organization since the London Olympics, will be in search of a new president for the second time in under a year.