The sport's governing body Swimming Australia said an anonymous and unsubstantiated claim against Thompson had been brought to its attention by the media.

 

Kevin Neil, the chief executive of Swimming Australia, said: "The Swimming Australia Board discussed the matter and Alan has agreed to take personal leave while we look into it further.

 

"As far as we know, the claim is not of a criminal nature."

 

Neil said the allegation, which he said did not involve assault, was completely unrelated to media reports today that a former swim team coach had sexually abused young swimmers over four decades.

 

A report in Sydney's Daily Telegraph alleged that former coach and manager Terry Buck, who died after a tractor accident in 2005, had preyed upon the elite athletes under his guidance.
 

The newspaper said a former Olympic medallist had come forward with claims of being abused over seven years by Buck from the age of 11, angered that a five-month police investigation into the matter was quietly wound up in 2001.

 

The former swimmer said he provided police with the names of 29 other victims, including three who had committed suicide.

 

Also named were two surfing champions and an Olympic gold medallist.

 

Swimming Australia said it was "appalled at the nature of these allegations" and would provide any assistance requested by police should the investigation be reopened.

 

Neil said: "Swimming Australia has never received any complaint in relation to Terry Buck, and while I did not know the man, many people speak highly of him."

 

Neil said Swimming Australia would commence an independent investigation into the allegations surrounding Thompson, who in 2007 was offered the role of head coach in Britain after he said he was interested in replacing Bill Sweetenham in the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics.

 

He said: "Swimming Australia will not be involved in any cover-up, in any way shape or form, of any incident."

 

 

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