Sentences reduced

Press, 7 May 1981, Page 30

Sentences reduced

Brent O’Neill and Peter Lucas, the two Wellington swimmers suspended by their centre after a “go slow” at the national championships at Rotorua in February, have had their sentences reduced to a severe reprimand, after an appeal. The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association’s council heard the appeal on Tuesday evening and reached its decision after a threehour meeting. “The association felt the swimmers should have the opportunity to show their maturity to themselves and

the swimming association and • that . they are. still worthy of representing their centre and, perhaps in the future, their country,” said the president of the N.Z.A.5.A.,, Mr D. L. Shaw. Lucas and O’Neill presented their case to the council with the aid of a Wellington solicitor, Mr D. Thom, and the chairman of the Wellington centre, Mr Bill Matson, presented the centre’s case. The swimmers staged, their “go slow” in relay, events at the national championships. It was a form of

protest at the selection of the Wellington centre relay teams. 7 “We decided to allow the appeal after a full discussion and consideration of all the facts. The swimmers’ action was detrimental to New Zealand swimming, Wellington team officials and other team members. They showed immaturity in their actions but the council felt they should be given the opportunity to make amends. We reduce the sentence to a severe reprimand,” said Mr Shaw.