by Ashlee K

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: March 09, 2012

Is Nick D'Arcy's ban fair or is it a life sentence?

What happened to the days when people were served with warnings before they were punished? Well, to be completely honest, those days are definitely long gone.

Is it fair to serve such a dramatic life sentence on Australian swimmer, Nick D'Arcy? Well, in my opinion, no. Nick D'Arcy was removed from Australia's Olympic swim team. The one set to compete in the upcoming Beijing Olympics to be held in the upcoming months. The reason for this, it had been alleged that D'Arcy had assaulted a former swimmer [let me emphasise the word, alleged]. Nick D'Arcy appealed the AOC's [Australian Olympic Committee]decision and in return his plea was rejected, not once but twice. To me, the decision to ban D'Arcy from competing in this year's Olympics was not fair.

Don't Australian's wish to have the best swim team when it comes to competing in the Olympics? D'Arcy is what i consider to be among the best. If not one of the best swimmers in the world. The decision to ban D'Arcy has completely and utterly outraged my family, including myself. Each of us wish to boycott watching the Australian Olympic swim team compete in Beijing later this year. Never before would I have refused to watch swimming, especially being a big fan, but when the AOC took this case too far I believe I have no other choice.

A life sentence is exactly what this ban is. I mean not even some murderers are sentenced to life, murderers that kill innocent victims. Footballers [from the NRL] on the other hand are handed suspensions [maybe 1, 2 or 4 week suspensions], not banned for life. The suspension acts as a warning. It's just not fair.

I don't agree with what he did, I personally don't condone it. His behaviour at that time was not acceptable. He did hurt another human being however, as I stated before, whatever happened to warnings? I am sure if he was warned strongly this incident would totally destroy his career, he would NEVER do this again. Nick D'Arcy has not only been banned, but so have his family, his supporters and followers. This poor man has suffered enough. He has lost fans over the continuous controversy and he has lost his career. He does not deserve the punishment being dished and I, myself, formally refuse to watch Australia compete in swimming whilst in Beijing. Put yourself in his position. Would you personally wish to be reinstated into the swim team or have your dream crushed?!

I am eager to see what other people belive and how they feel about this topic.

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