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Oz lifter in dock for demanding money
An Australian weightlifter has been accused of demanding 5,000 Australian Dollar (Rs 2.8 lakh) to compete at an event where his participation was essential to allow his country to win a berth at the London Olympics.
An Australian weightlifter has been accused of demanding 5,000 Australian Dollar (Rs 2.8 lakh) to compete at an event where his participation was essential to allow his country to win a berth at the London Olympics.
Australian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) chief Michael Keelan has levelled the accusation at Daniel Koum and said he and other team members had been forced to dig into their pockets before the weightlifter would compete.
Cameroon-born Koum said he was "disappointed" at the allegations."With past competitions, even I just went to represent Australia in the world championships and it cost me more than 10,000 dollar," he said.
The Australian Olympic Committee said it was launching an investigation. Koum could represent Australia at the Games after the AWF nominates its single male entry this weekend, although he conceded that was now unlikely.
