Swimmer D'Arcy in line for sports award

Controversial swimmer Nick D'Arcy is in line to win a regional sports award, despite facing a charge of grievous bodily harm against former swimmer Simon Cowley.

D'Arcy and pole vaulter Alana Boyd have been pencilled in as joint winners of the March award in the Sunshine Coast Sports Star of the Year Award.

"He was the outstanding performer so he was a bit of a shoo-in," said John Boast, secretary of the local sports funding body Advance Sports, which runs the awards.

Boast is on an awards panel of five, which also includes former Olympic boxer Benny Pike.

"We knew a lot of people would not agree, and we are quite prepared for that. But we've stuck by our guns," Boast told AAP.

"The awards are based purely on sports performance.

"The official decision will be announced next week, but at the moment Nick D'Arcy has been pencilled in for it.

"We're prepared for the flak that will come out."

Pike, who is president of Advance Sports, said on Thursday that the decision had not been finalised, but confirmed it would be based purely on sports performance.

D'Arcy set a Commonwealth record in winning the national 200m butterfly title at the trials, which won him selection in the team for the Beijing Olympics.

The 20-year-old has since been charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm for an alleged king-hit on Cowley at a late night celebration after the naming of the team. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail.

D'Arcy has spoken of his "deep regret" over his involvement in the incident and the serious injuries suffered by Cowley, who is due to have surgery on Friday.

Doctors are waiting for the swelling to subside before performing corrective surgery for numerous facial injuries, including a fractured jaw and broken nose.

"I deeply regret my involvement in this incident and the injury occasioned to Simon Cowley," D'Arcy said in a statement.

"I sincerely regret the embarrassment caused to Australian swimming, the Australian Olympic swimming team and to my family."

D'Arcy is the subject of a joint investigation by the Australian Olympic Committee and Swimming Australian, set up to decide whether he should retain his place on the Olympic team.

The investigation, chaired by AOC vice president Peter Montgomery, is also looking into D'Arcy's alleged involvement in an incident in August 2006 in which ironman Tim Peach received facial injuries.

AOC spokesman Mike Tancred said the investigation panel is currently reviewing legal issues and will approach D'Arcy for an interview as its first priority.

However he is unlikely to appear until next week at the earliest, as he is currently in Perth supporting his brother at the national surf lifesaving championships.

The AOC's lawyers have prepared a draft of legal options which is being forwarded to AOC president John Coates, who will make the final decision on whether D'Arcy remains in the team.

Coates is currently in Europe and is due to arrive in Beijing on Saturday for high-level meetings ahead of the Games.

D'Arcy has already withdrawn from the world short course championships in Manchester, UK, next week.

He is due to appear in court in Sydney on April 21. (Courtesy: Yahoo7)