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Team mates rally around drink spike swimmer
March 27, 2006
TEAMMATES of Commonwealth Games gold medallist Joanna Fargus have told how they supported her after she collapsed in a nightclub, following a suspected drink-spiking incident.
Fellow swimmer Leisel Jones described the incident, which occurred during Games celebrations, as "appalling"."It's very scary and that's probably the reason why I haven't really gone out," she said on Southern Cross Radio today. "It is something that's very scary and I think it's very invasive and it makes you so vulnerable.
"It is appalling and I'd just hate to be in her shoes but I know all the girls in the swimming team have supported her, they all looked after her and got her home, got her in to bed and have really, really looked after her."
Australian Games team chef de mission John Devitt today said Fargus, the 200m backstroke champion, felt "dizzy and nauseous" while out at a Melbourne club with teammates late on Saturday night.
"Joanna was assisted immediately by ambulance officers and the management of the swimming team was notified," Devitt said.
"Joanna has recovered fully and will fly home to Brisbane this evening."
An elite police squad will investigate claims that Fargus's drink was spiked at The Last Lap, a temporary nightclub for athletes at the Queensbridge Hotel in Southbank.
The Last Lap was established by businessman and former AFL footballer Craig Kelly, who with partners set up similar, highly-successful Last Lap venues at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon would not name Fargus, but said police had gathered evidence that was being scientifically tested.
"It's now handed to Task Force Diamond to ascertain whether that occurred and our forensic people became involved pretty much straight away," Ms Nixon said.
Task Force Diamond is part of the Commonwealth Games security shield, and comprises leading detectives from the Victoria Police crime department.
Test results on a glass and other material, and a review of video surveillance footage, were expected within days, Ms Nixon said.
Ms Nixon said the woman had not been assaulted or harmed following the incident and reported the matter to police at the Games village.
Fargus was forced to report the incident to police and officials in case the substance in her drink was on the banned list and showed up later in anti-doping tests, an Australian team official said today.
Australian team officials are satisfied that all legalities have been followed and there should be no issues if the situation arises, the official said.
Fargus won a silver medal for England at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 before switching her allegiance to Australia.
The organisers of The Last Lap confirmed there was an alleged incident of drink spiking at the venue on Saturday night.
Venue staff helped the victim and ambulance officers, police and Australian swim team officials were quickly informed, Last Lap spokesman Rob Woodhouse said.
"We are working with the police in their investigation of this matter and are assisting them with all of their inquiries," he said in a statement.
"It is a sad reflection on our society that an activity such as drink-spiking occurs in nightclubs.
"In our planning and management of The Last Lap we took all precautions to ensure that the athletes were given a safe environment to celebrate after the Games."GOLD medal-winning Australian swimmer Joanna Fargus has withdrawn her complaint that someone may have spiked her drink during Commonwealth Games celebrations.
"That complaint has been withdrawn and we are still keeping general inquiries going," a spokesman for Victorian police said.Fargus, who won the 200 metre backstroke event, has declined to comment on the matter.
Swimming Australia media manager Ian Hanson said Fargus stood by the claim her drink was spiked as she celebrated at a nightclub with teammates on Saturday night.
"She's not dropping the claim. She just doesn't want the investigation to continue," he told AFP.
Fargus, who has since fully recovered, began to feel dizzy and nauseous while out in central Melbourne, an Australian delegation official said.
"Joanna was assisted immediately by ambulance officers and the management of the swimming team was notified," he said.
"Joanna and her teammates returned to the (athletes') village where she was examined by the team's medical staff. It is believed her drink may have been spiked."
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