D'Arcy gets green light
02/21/2012 07:52:28 AM
Swimming bad boy Nick D'Arcy could represent Australia at the London Olympics after being given the go-ahead to participate at the national championships in March.
The Australian Olympic Committee confirmed on Tuesday that they have backed Swimming Australia's decision to include D'Arcy in their shadow team.
Now the controversial 24-year-old only has to record a top-two finish and an A qualifying time in the 200m butterfly at the Australian Swimming Championships next month at the South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Adelaide.
Swimming Australia's endorsement of D'Arcy means he is one step closer to finally realising his Olympic dream after being booted off the 2008 Beijing team for his vicious assault on fellow swimmer Simon Cowley.
The brutal attack left Cowley with a broken jaw, cheekbone, nose and eye socket.
As a result D'Arcy received a 14-month suspended jail term for recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and was ordered to pay Cowley $180,000 in compensation after civil action last July.
However, D'Arcy filed for bankruptcy in December and now may not have to pay Cowley anything.