Australian Olympic swimmer Kenrick Monk has escaped a possible three-year jail term after he was not charged with lying to police for fabricating a story about a hit-and-run accident.
On September 28, Monk made a false complaint to police, detailing an elaborate hit-and-run incident involving "hoons" when he, in fact, fell off his skateboard and broke his elbow in two places, jeopardizing his London Olympic hopes.
Two days later Monk made global headlines when he decided to come clean after police told him that a witness had contradicted his account.
The 200m freestyle specialist was fined by Swimming Australia and has received a letter from Queensland police reprimanding him.
He told The (Sydney) Sunday Telegraph he had learned some very valuable lessons. He is expected to make his swimming return at the New South Wales state titles in February.
"I'm grateful to the Queensland police and Swimming Australia for how they have handled the matter in what has been a difficult time for me," Monk said. "I just want to continue my rehab and prepare the best I can for the Olympic trials next year."
