2000 Olympics hero, new Swimming Australia president facing suspension amid world swimming fracture

Swimming Australia’s rocky relationship with the sport’s global governing body is once again under scrutiny with a gold medal hero of the famous 2000 Olympics’ 100 metres men’s relay embroiled in a fallout with World Aquatics. Details inside.

Chris Fydler faces possible suspension by world swimming’s governing body. Picture: Stu Forster /Allsport

Chris Fydler, one of Ian Thorpe’s ‘guitar smashing’ team mates on the Australian relay that famously won gold at the Sydney Olympics, has been charged by the sport’s global governing body over a fallout involving another of his Dolphins’ team mates.

A dispute that has been simmering away for weeks has now come to the boil after World Aquatics chief executive Brent Nowicki confirmed to this masthead that Fydler, now president of Swimming Australia (SA), was under investigation by the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU).

“A charge has been levied and procedures are ongoing,“ Nowicki said.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further on the case, the merits of the case, or the substance of the case.

“We will let the independent review and adjudicatory process work itself out and we’ll respond at that time.”

Chris Fydler at the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney. Picture: Sydney 2009 World Masters Games via Getty Images

While the details around the complaint remain confidential, it is understood the dispute stems from Fydler’s decision to request a revote on SA’s support of Matt Dunn’s nomination to the executive board of World Aquatics.

Under the rules, his request for a second vote was futile because Dunn, a former team mate and training partner of Fydler, already had the backing of other national federations in Oceania so remains eligible to stand for re-election at the July 29 vote in Singapore.

It is considered a foregone conclusion that Dunn will secure another four-year term as he is widely tipped to become the federation’s next global leader when Husain Al Musallam steps down before the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Fydler’s opposition to his nomination was referred to an independent investigatory body, that spoke to several people, before charging him with multiple code violations that are now being looked at.

If found to have breached the rules, he could face a reprimand or even a suspension.

Ian Thorpe, Chris Fydler and Michael Klim celebrate the famous 100 metres relay win in Sydney over the USA. Picture: Clive Brunskill /Allsport

One highly-placed insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, said support for Dunn within Australian swimming circles had diluted since World Aquatics threatened to expel SA last year unless it introduced major reforms.

SA agreed to the changes - which included giving a guaranteed seat on the board to any World Aquatics executives, but not everyone supported the changes and Dunn copped a lot of the backwash.

A tough-as-nails performer in the pool who teamed up with Thorpe, Michael Klim and Ashley Callus in the Australian 4x100m freestyle relay that beat the Americans in Sydney, Fydler was appointed SA president less than seven weeks ago after serving as interim chair.

Fydler did not comment.

Senior Australian sports leaders have been kept aware about the row after being copied into emails between the disputing parties but did not respond when contacted by this masthead.

SA did issue a statement, quoting chief executive Rob Woodhouse saying Fydler would ‘deny and defend recent allegations’ made by AQIU, and that he had the backing of the SA board.

Woodhouse also said SA had been seeking more information from World Aquatics on the disputed nomination process but could not discuss a case that was ongoing.

“Given the pending hearing, we cannot comment any further but can confirm that Swimming Australia fully supports Chris,” Woodhouse said.

Originally published as 2000 Olympics hero, new Swimming Australia president facing suspension amid world swimming fracture