Good day Ben, Andy.
Firstly lets clear up a misunderstanding. I do understand the reasons behind your POV. I don't agree with that POV. But I understand why you might want hold on to it. Thanks for the emotional history lesson. Unneccessory on my part but I'm sure it helped others.
Expecting your sporting hero's to be whiter than white, and first rate examples of Australian citizenship the whole time. Simply because your government spends your tax dollars on training them thru their career and then the FMGC circus steps in to provide them with a well paid life style is rather nieve. As it misses an important and vital aspect. They are first and foremost Human! Humans as we all know, make errors!
Your dismay regarding D'Arcy's lack of prison time and legal manouvering regarding the civil damages, compounded by your AOC continued support. Is understandable given your unrealistic expectation of your leading sportmen.
If you want the perfect unflawed hero to be the recipient of your tax dollar and consumer spend.Might I suggest you look to the comic books. The fact that D'Arcy has been in court acknowledged his error, (he pleaded guilty), took the punishment handed down. Should be enough to draw a line under the matter. That he then did it again in civil court. But that time, on good legal advise, dodged the silver bullet. Has nothing to do with his worthiness to swim in the Olympics. Is he the best butterfly swimmer you have? Has he won the right to be on the team based purely upon his performance in the pool? If the answer to both questions is yes' Your AOC made the right decision.
Set an example of sportsmanship, have a cold one and cheer the lad on.
You want your sporting heros to live their lives as saints.... yet retain your right to be human. How realistic is that?
