Coach Scott Volkers Released on Bail
BRISBANE, Australia, April 5. AUSTRALIAN swim coach
Scott Volkers pleaded not guilty today to charges of child sexual abuse involving two former swimmers.
Volkers was arrested last month and charged with allegedly fondling two female swimmers aged 12 and 14 between 1985 and 1987.
During a brief hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court, Volkers entered pleas of not guilty to five counts of indecent treatment of children under the age of 16. Volkers attended the hearing but did not speak.
Volkers, 43, and the father of two, coached Susie O'Neil to Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000, and Samantha Riley to double gold at the 1994 World Championships.
The charges against the popular coach shocked this swim-crazy nation of 20 million. Today Volkers was released on bail but ordered not to contact the two alleged victims or their families.
He was ordered to reappear in court on April 17.