Swimming Australia, Australian Swimmers Union at Odds Over Payment Plan

SYDNEY, Australia, July 10. JUST weeks before the 2012 London Olympics commence, Swimming Australia has another controversy on its hands. After already dealing with social media issues with Nick D'Arcy and Kenrick Monk, as well as Stephanie Rice, Swimming Australia now has its swimmers union upset regarding an incentive plan.

After news came out that Swimming Australia would distribute $750,000 to its Olympic team members, as well as provide medal incentives, Swimmers Association president Daniel Kowalski cried foul, stating that Swimming Australia had promised that the union would get final authorization of any incentive package.

According to Kowalski, the average money for a top 20-ranked swimmer is $20,000 a year. Whereas, a similar program with USA Swimming provides up to $36,000 for similarly ranked national team members who sign up for the Athlete Partnership Plan.

Australia's package also incentivizes the medal stand with $35,000 for a gold medal, as well as up to $25,000 for other strong performances.

Australia Olympic Committee president John Coates didn't pull any punches in his response to the dispute.

“I think there's a lot of other sports in which the athletes would love to receive the money the swimmers are receiving,” he said. “In my sport of rowing, they do it for the love of rowing, there's no payment. There's no payment in sailing, there's no payment in canoeing. The vast majority of Olympic sports, they do it because they want to compete and they love competing. With the London Olympics fast approaching, it's not surprising that athletes are keen to find ways to capitalize on their time in the spotlight.”

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