Athens - Roland Schoeman, the most decorated Olympian in South African history, cleared the air regarding the controversy that has rocked South African swimming after he and his team-mates won the gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the Athens Olympics.
Schoeman, with Ryk Neethling and Lyndon Ferns - three of the four world record-breaking swimmers in the relay - addressed a media conference with members of the South African Olympic team management at the Olympic village on Thursday.
The swimmers looked emotional and a touch sombre.
Missing from the line-up was Darian Townsend who is reportedly due back in Athens, from the USA, on Thursday afternoon.
Schoeman stressed that most of what he had said after winning his three medals in the swimming - gold in the relay, silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 50m freestyle sprint - was taken out of context.
"There has been a lot of miscommunication between South Africa and Athens which has resulted in our spat with Swimming South Africa (SSA)," said the swimmers in a joint statement.
But they still said they could do with more financial help at international level in the build-up to the next Olympics in Beijing.
"We have received valuable help from SSA and Nocsa - but what we were trying to say was we need more consistent financial help for the full four years between Olympics for swimmers to be properly supported in their Olympic preparations."
Speaking for the swimmers in the Olympic team, Schoeman denied reports that they had been threatened by SSA.
"We had never been threatened with disciplinary action regarding the swimsuits we wore," he said.
"I want to make it clear that, in the heat of the moment, I accidentally wore the wrong suit with the 'Arena' logo not properly blacked out.
"And for that I have apologised," said Schoeman.
The swimmers were contracted to wear suits with Speedo logos.
The swimmers had also complained about the manner in which their American coach, Rick Demont, had been treated by Nocsa, specifically regarding his struggle to gain accreditation for competition and training venues.
Again, Schoeman cleared the air saying, "There was a problem in the beginning, but this was sorted out and in the end we had no problem there."
Schoeman also denied rumours that he was retiring.
"I will not be retiring. I commit myself fully in the future to swimming for South Africa.
"I want to state that I have no intention of retiring from swimming. It is my life. I intend participating in the sport for as long as I am able to do so."
Schoeman, Neethling and Ferns swim at the University of Tuscon, Arizona under the coaching of Rick Demont.
He confirmed his specific meaning about the need for financial support for swimmers at his level. "I need to be confident that my finances are stable. Financial fitness is just as important as physical well-being."
