Swimming Rocked by Abuse Claims

Swimming Australia (SA) Chief Executive Kevin Neil has vowed that there will be no "cover-up" over accusations of sexual abuse against a former SA head coach and "inappropriate" behaviour by current head coach Alan Thompson.

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

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

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

Neil responded by saying he was appalled by the claims, telling reporters in Canberra "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 SA, with Neil forced to announce current head coach Alan Thompson had taken personal leave after also being accused of "inappropriate" behaviour.

Neil said the media had brought the anonymous and unsubstantiated claim to the body's attention, adding "the Swimming Australia board discussed the matter and Alan has agreed to take personal leave while the matter is looked into further," adding "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.

"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, Neil stating "if the police decide to open that investigation, we will cooperate as appropriately as we can, as we would with any investigation."

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 allegations after the Sydney 2000 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.

Neil didn't know who was behind the allegations but said they'd be more than welcome to come forward and speak to SA.

Meanwhile, Police Inspector Peter Yeomans, who headed the investigation into the claims, said a number of alleged victims had refused to cooperate with police, Yeomans saying, in a statement, "in this matter, some of those interviewed simply did not want to give any information or be involved in the investigation as witness or possible victim.

"Many prefer to deal with (sex abuse) through other courses of action, such as counselling. Others do not want to relive the trauma at all."

Neil said safety was SA's number one priority and its member and child welfare policy and procedures were "robust and up-to-date to handle all matters".

Neil added He stressed the accusations against Buck and Thompson were in no way related and the fact they surfaced on the same day was purely a coincidence.