Australian Swimmers Want More To Compensate Olympics Competition

Swimming Australia has "hosed down a pay row with members of its Olympic team," insisting it will not negotiate pay with swimmers before the London Games, according to Simon King of THE AUSTRALIAN. Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates has suggested that the swimmers should think themselves lucky, saying "other athletes would love to be getting the money" the swimmers receive. Swimming Australia President David Urquhart said, "There won't be any discussions until after the Olympics, and the Swimmers Association will be advised of that." Australian Swimmers' Association GM Daniel Kowalski claimed that the governing body took back an "agreement to allow the union to sign off on a recent financial deal for swimmers." Kowalski's comments followed a $10,000 payment last week to every member of the 47-person team competing in London. According to Kowalski, not only is "the amount too small," but Urquhart had assured him that "during six months of negotiations that any final decision would be approved by the union" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/11).