LONDON, England, August 30. DESPITE the controversy being history, Bill Sweetenham is still ticked over the criticism he took in recent years about being a bully. The Australian, who serves as the British Performance Director, was brought in to spark efforts in Great Britain and has done so with a high level of intensity.
Along the way, a handful of athletes came forward and accused Sweetenham of using bullying tactics. However, other athletes supported the coach, claiming that the accusers simply couldn't handle the intense approach of Sweetenham. The coach will guide Britain at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but will step down after the Games in China.
"They brought me in to change British swimming but when it got tough, British swimming wanted to change me," said Sweetenham to BBC Sport. "It was heart-breaking. I've had massive struggles moving things forward in Britain, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and I knew it wouldn't be easy."