Two of Australia’s top Olympic swimmers have landed themselves in hot water over an image they posted on Facebook.
via Twitter
In the photograph Nick D’Arcy and Kenrick Monk are shown in a Californian gun shop with D’Arcy holding up two pistols and Monk holding two shotguns. The pair were in the US as part of their training for London 2012.
Speaking to Australian press D’Arcy explained that the picture was only meant to be “a bit of fun.” D’Arcy said,
“If anyone’s been offended I deeply apologize. It was never the intent; it was never supposed to be offensive.”
But Swimming Australia doesn’t see the fun side. They plan on speaking to the swimmers, who have now returned from the US.
“Swimming Australia in no way condones these photos, and does not condone the posting of inappropriate content on Facebook, Twitter or any social media platform.
“This is a timely reminder for athletes to more be responsible to themselves, the public with whom they engage through social media, and the reputation of the sport.”
It’s not certain what the outcome of the meeting will be, although D’Arcy is no stranger to controversy, he was removed from the 2008 Australian Olympic team over an assault. And a year ago Monk also had a run in with authorities when he told police he the victim of a hit and run but later admitted he suffered injuries from falling off his skateboard.
Meanwhile Twitter users have been having their own fun with the D’Arcy/Monk images;
Nick D’Arcy to Monk: We should have gone to Disneyland twitter.com/BranditoInc/st…
— Brandito (@BranditoInc) June 8, 2012
RT @theaaronpabst: Nick D’Arcy you joker and Mark Knight you champion twitter.com/theaaronpabst/…
— Kieren Farrugia (@kizza66) June 8, 2012
Can’t believe Nick D’Arcy and Kenrick Monk would do something completely legal in another country. What next – not drinking in Saudi Arabia?
— adam rozenbachs (@arozenbachs) June 8, 2012
Guns have released a statement apologising for posing 4 photos with Nick D’Arcy & Kenrick Monk, agreeing it’s damaging for the image of Guns
— Sam Mac (McMillan) (@MrSamMac) June 7, 2012
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You know, I thought there were events in the Olympics such as small bore rifle, pistol, and air rifle shooting, as well as the biathlon, which I thought had guns on skis. As a matter of fact, were the javelin and discus both developed as implements of war? If the Olympic committee wants to be consistent, why not ban all these events or NOT take picture of the athletes participating in them? Pansies.