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SYDNEY : Australia's head swimming coach Alan Thompson has taken leave pending an investigation into an allegation of "inappropriate behaviour", according to officials.
The sport's governing body Swimming Australia said an anonymous and unsubstantiated claim against Thompson had been brought to its attention by the media.
"The Swimming Australia Board discussed the matter and Alan has agreed to take personal leave while we look into it further," chief executive Kevin Neil said without providing details of the allegation.
"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 on Monday 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 paper 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.
"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.
- AFP /ls
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