LEADING swimming commentator Hamilton Bland was sacked by the Amateur Swimming Association yesterday, after he was found to have brought the sport into disrepute.
The decision was taken by the ASA's management committee after an inquiry into allegations of corruption by Mr Bland, dubbed the BBC's ''voice of swimming''.
The inquiry, headed by sports lawyer Mark Gay, was set up after reports that Mr Bland, the ASA's facilities adviser, took secret commissions while acting as adviser to local councils on the construction of new pools.
Suppliers are said to have paid him money to ensure he recommended their products, although he was supposed to be offering independent advice.
The association's chief executive, Mr David Sparkes, said: ''Hamilton Bland was in a position of trust and influence, a position which he has clearly abused.
''Mr Bland has betrayed the trust that both we and our partners put in him. We had no alternative but to relieve him of his duties.''
The BBC later announced it was terminating its contract with Mr Bland, its principal swimming commentator, who may now face a criminal inquiry.
In a brief statement, it said: ''The BBC has decided it would be inappropriate to continue to employ Hamilton Bland as a swimming commentator.''
Denying any wrongdoing in a statement issued later, through solicitors Olswang, Mr Bland said: ''I have served the ASA faithfully and diligently, acting in its best interests at all times.
''I absolutely deny that I have brought the ASA or myself into disrepute.''
Culture Secretary Chris Smith, who launched his own inquiry into Mr Bland's activities, said he would pass the report to the police if it contained evidence of illegal behaviour.
A former Olympic coach, Mr Bland has commentated on swimming on the BBC since 1975, and has continued to appear on television since the allegations against him were first raised in July last year.
He gave evidence to Mr Gay's inquiry in February, despite having suffered a brain haemorrhage.
Mr Sparkes added that the police would now be called in.
''There is no doubt that as a direct result of Mr Bland's activities the ASA's reputation has suffered, particularly with local authorities and the Sports Council,'' he said.
Meanwhile, further revelations about Mr Bland were emerging last night, as ITV's World In Action programme alleged he had grown rich through administering the ASA's badge programme for youngsters.
While not acting illegally, Mr Bland last year earned more than #300,000 for running the scheme, which raised about #800,000 annually and helped to fund the training of Olympic swimmers.
However, Mr Sparkes defended the contract with Mr Bland, while admitting the scheme's new administrator would probably be a staff employee and the ASA would take a ''long hard look'' at how it was operated.
However, former Olympic breaststroke champion Adrian Moorhouse said Mr Bland had been able to take advantage of the ASA's ''naivety''.
''If there is one lesson they must learn, it is to bite the bullet and become a professional organisation with a board of directors,'' said Mr Moorhouse, who won Gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
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