Swimming-Police detain coach after scuffle with daughter

MELBOURNE, Mar 27 (Reuters) Police have detained a Ukrainian coach at the world swimming championships after television pictures captured him in a scuffle with his daughter.

The 38-year-old man was being interviewed by police and had his accreditation for the event revoked by world governing body FINA after officials were alerted to local television pictures taken in the marshalling room at Rod Laver Arena.

The man appeared to be trying to console the female competitor, but then the two exchanged blows and the footage concluded with the man apparently trying to comfort her as she lay on the floor.

''The footage showed an incident between a swimmer and a male person who appeared to be an official,'' said a police spokesman on Tuesday.

''Victorian police were very much concerned to the welfare of the athlete and we immediately sought to identify the parties, in particular the female.

''She's now with Victoria police and she's being interviewed.

We have identified the male, he's a 38-year-old Ukraine man who is her father and coach and that man is also being interviewed in relation to the incident.'' He added that the unnamed swimmer did not require any medical treatment.

World Swimming Corporation chief Michael Scott said FINA had acted quickly in dealing with the situation and in launching its own investigation.

''What occurred tonight is unacceptable. It's unacceptable in Australia, unacceptable anywhere in the world. FINA have undertaken their disciplinary process and we await the outcome.'' Russian diving coach Vladimir Rulev, 56, had earlier in the day pleaded not guilty to indecent assault before local magistrates after allegedly groping a female hotel security guard.

Reuters SAM RS1909