Recently at the Oceania Champioships in Samoa, an Australian weightlifter, Daniel Koum, originally from Cameroon, is accused of threatening to ruin Australia's hopes for a spot in the men's weightlifting at the London Olympics later this year. It is alleged that he demanded money in return for performance.
You can read the rest in the article/video of the news report by the Australian Broadcasting Company. Similar articles have been posted by many of Australia's other press.
While this story is disappointing, whether it is true or not, it has yet again drawn a tarnished reputation to the sport.
Like any story of an individual athlete whose conduct has been less than desirable, the ripple effect of the media attention on the story will draw negative opinions from the public both towards the athlete and the sport itself.
Weightlifting hasn't had much media exposure in the last few years however, much of the press that it has received hasn't been positive. This does not bode well for the sport as it deters potential sponsors and government support.
The other thing that is stirring comments from the public is that the lifter in question defected from Cameroon and sought refuge in Australia and it appears that he was granted citizenship with the intention that he would represent Australia in sport. Not only to win but to set an example of a person who has made a new, better life. There are other lifters who did the same and most have drawn criticism from the public for 'jumping queues' or not going through the proper channels.
Behaviour like this is not helping with the opinion that they don't deserve their citizenships and is likely to make it harder for foreign athletes to seek refuge in Australia.
I'm not necessarily condoning this as the best way to seek asylum however, it isn't fair that one person can ruin the chances of many others due to selfishness and unsportsmanlike behaviour.
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