"I would like to announce that the Board of Swimming Australia has today accepted, with immediate effect, my resignation as President," Nettlefold said in a statement.

"My decision to step down will ensure the significant progress and substantial positive change to the sport of swimming in this country continues.

"There were some private comments I made in jest to my colleagues recently that were not consistent with the standards expected of me, standards I have urged to be incorporated into the future culture of Swimming Australia.

"I am proud to have initiated two independent inquiries into swimming and I commend the people who have worked with me and supported the drive for change.

"They all have the institution of swimming in Australia at their heart and together I believe we have made great progress in a very short period of time."

Barclay Nettlefold took over as Swimming Australia's President after the country suffered a disappointing Olympic performance at London 2012

Nettlefold is alleged to have made comments about a female sports scientist while she was out of the room, suggested team rooms be checked for sex toys and condoms and later told those present in the room to call him "donkey'' in reference to the size of his genitals.

An email which details the allegations against Nettlefold also claimed he appeared to be "talking loud, fast and his behaviour was erratic.''

But Nettleford also claimed there was ''a personality attack on me and that needs to be dealt with internally''.

Anderson did not rule out exploring this claim but said his ''priority over the next coming weeks will be to closely engage with all of our stakeholders...to strengthen the organisation and further improve our culture and corporate governance.''

It is a huge blow to a sport that had worked to rebuild a tattered reputation in the wake of the Olympic stilnox scandal.

Nettlefold had appeared alongside the men's 4x100 metres freestyle relay team at press conference in February when they admitted to Stilnox use, admitting that they had used the drug banned by the Australian Olympic Committee.

Nettlefold had overseen a major overhaul of Swimming Australia, leading the sport through the murky waters which followed London 2012, including a review which labelled the swim team's culture "toxic'' and an Australian Sports Commission review which recommended a raft of governance changes.

Since end of last year's Olympics the sport has lost chief executive in Kevin Neil who resigned in November, head coach Leigh Nugent who stood down in February, former President David Urquhart whose tenure ended last October and now Nettlefold.

''When I came to this sport four weeks ago, I recognised that there was a lot of work that needed to be done, and everyone was transparent that we did have some cultural issues and situations we needed to resolve,'' said Anderson, who joined the sport from Hockey Australia, where he was also chief executive.

"Significant progress has been made off the back of the two extensive reviews into our sport and we wish to acknowledge Barclay's significant contributions to the progress that has been made."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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