Warwick Smith to chair Swimming Australia performance and management review

Following a week in which reports of misbehaviour among Australia's Olympic swimmers have filled the media, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has announced that former ASC Chair Warwick Smith will chair the joint ASC/Swimming Australia panel that will review the sport's high performance program, governance and administration.

Smith's appointment was agreed by current ASC Chair John Wylie and Swimming Australia President David Urquhart, with Australian Institute of Sport Director Matthew Favier to also join the Panel to provide expert advice and input on the future of high performance for the sport.

Other review panel members are expected to be announced next week.

Wylie noted that "the ASC welcomes a review of swimming and considers the review must have sufficient independence to ensure its process and recommendations have credibility with the Australian community.

"As a successful businessman, former Federal Sports Minister and former Chair of the ASC, Mr Smith is eminently qualified to oversee this review. Warwick has a deep understanding of both sport and corporate governance and this will complement the technical expertise of other members of the panel. I thank Warwick for agreeing to take on this role and his commitment to Australian sport."

ASC Chief Executive Simon Hollingsworth noted that "the Sports Commission takes very seriously the fact that it is investing taxpayer's money into sports.

"ASC investment is based on sound evidence, the achievement of agreed outcomes and proof that sports are being administered in a way that uses funding for greatest impact. For swimming, this review will be critical in allowing the ASC Board to make an informed decision on future funding allocations."

Following this week's revelations about team antics in London, David Urquhart was more forthright in relation to investigating athlete conduct, saying that the review would guarante complete confidentiality to any Olympic swimmer "scared" by their London Games teammates if they provide evidence to the review.

Urquhart called on Australia's Olympic swimmers to pluck up the courage to make private submissions to the review panel, telling The Australian in an interview "we need swimmers to come forward and assist us.

"Anyone is quite open to make a submission and everything told to the review will be confidential. I would stand by that."

Australian Olympic Committie (AOC) Vice-President Peter Montgomery, speaking on behalf of AOC President John Coates, who is in Switzerland on International Olympic Committee business, said yesterday the organisation was taking a keen interest in the Swimming Australia probe but would await its outcome.

The Australian Government, through the ASC, is a key investor in Swimming Australia. In 2011/12 the ASC invested more than $10 million in the sport across both high performance and participation.

Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy has welcomed the announcement of Smith's appointment, stating "as a former chair of the Australian Sports Commission and the author of the Smith Review into Football in Australia, Warwick is eminently qualified and well-credentialed to lead the panel.

"High quality leadership in sport is essential to ensure the public can have confidence that government funding is wisely invested. I look forward to the recommendations from this review process, as ultimately the implementation of the outcomes will guide future funding decisions."

Australian Olympic Committie (AOC) Vice-President Peter Montgomery, speaking on behalf of AOC President John Coates, who is in Switzerland on International Olympic Committee business, said yesterday the organisation was taking a keen interest in the Swimming Australia probe but would await its outcome.

The review will be completed in time to allow the ASC Board to consider funding allocations in early 2013.

The Australian Government, through the ASC, is a key investor in Swimming Australia. In 2011/12 the ASC invested more than $10 million in the sport across both high performance and participation.

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