Australian Olympic Relay Pranksters Set to Face More Punishment Friday

SYDNEY, Australia, August 21. THE six Australian swimmers involved in pranks during a pre-Olympic training camp last year are set to face more sanctions tomorrow, with the Australian Olympic Committee set to announce more penalties four months after Swimming Australia imposed fines on the six.

Though Swimming Australia had fined the swimmers — James Magnussen, Matt Targett, James Roberts, Eamon Sullivan, Tommaso D’Orsogna and Cameron McEvoy — and imposed deferred suspensions that kept them eligible for competition this year, the Australian Olympic Committee wanted to do its own investigation and impose its own punishment. According to an article by NewsNine, the six couldface more financial punishment, including losing the bonuses received from the Olympic Committee for winning medals at the Olympic Games. Only Magnussen, McEvoy and Targett would face those fines, with future funding also possibly being taken from them.

In July 2012, the six swimmers, all part of the 400 freestyle relay squad, participated in a night of pranks that included knocking on teammates’ doors while sleeping and calling phone numbers then hanging up. But perhaps the most crucial aspect of that night was the drug Stilnox, which had been banned for use by Swimming Australia. Five of the six admitted to using the drug earlier this year and have since apologized.

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