UPDATE: GUN photo duo Nick DArcy and Kenrick Monk today added a self-imposed social media ban on themselves until the Olympics to top up punishment from the Australian Olympic Committee.

The swim pair made the announcement after a blunt morning meeting with Swimming Australia chief executive Kevin Neil who flew to Brisbane for a thorough round of talks over the fallout from the photo and their responsibilities to make better decisions.

"Firstly both Kenrick and I understand the sanctions put on us from the AOC. We got a call from (Olympic team chef de mission) Nick Green on Saturday," D’Arcy said before training at St Peters Lutheran College pool in Brisbane.

"We’ve had some really serious discussions with Swimming Australia today and as per those discussions I’ve decided not to engage in social media leading into the Games."

D'Arcy read from a brief statement and did not answer questions.

The duo incurred the wrath of the AOC after posting photos of themselves with high-powered pistols and shotguns visiting a Californian shooting range last week after a swim meet in the US.

The AOC reacted to their poor judgement in posting the photos by announcing last Saturday that the pair would be sent home from London at the conclusion of their swimming events in London, essentially barring them from potential disruptions to still-competing athletes.

They were also banned from using social media, including Twitter, Facebook and blogging, for the Games’ period of July 16 to August 15.

"At this stage it would just serve as a distraction," D’Arcy said of his personal ban on social media from today.

"It’s really important in these last seven weeks to be really focussed on training and focussed on what I’m doing in pool because at end of the day I’m going to be coming up against some of the greatest swimmers in the world especially Michael Phelps.

"If I’m not on my game I’m not going to have a chance against those guys."

Monk stressed his whole focus had to be to keep his head down and train hard for his 200m freestyle and relay swims.

"I told Swimming Australia my main objective is just to go over to London and swim. That’s all I’m going to do, go to London and swim the best I can for my country," Monk said. "Once we’re done our swimming, we are being sent back home."

Monk said Swimming Australia agreed that the shooting range visit was a "bit of fun" but the issue was "putting up the photos".

"Basically, back in ’07 we went, as the Australian swim team, to a rifle range and did a bit of shooting (in Canberra). It was a bit of fun and great team bonding," Monk said.

"Over in America, we thought it would be a fantastic idea and bit of bonding and fun (to go to the shooting range). It was putting up and the photos ... when we were asked to take them down we did."

Earlier, the Australian Olympic Committee has hit back at claims of hypocrisy following images of swim team members shooting guns at a rifle range during an official Swimming Australia bonding session.

The photographs, featuring stars including Libby Trickett and Eamon Sullivan firing weapons, have emerged less than a week after swimmers Nick D'Arcy and Kenrick Monk were punished for posing with pistols and shotguns in the US.

It is understood Swimming Australia organised the shooting session at a Canberra rifle range during an Australian Institute of Sport training camp in 2007.



Swimming Australia President David Urquhart and CEO Kevin Neil reminded the pair of their responsibilities as Australian team members.

Swimming Australia told the swimmers the manner in which they posed in the photos, as well as past indiscretions which bring their actions into question.

“They showed poor judgement in posting what we saw as inappropriate photos, in which they appear to be skylarking with guns while in the US last week,” said Neil.

“While what the boys did was not illegal, posting the photos on social networks encourages public debate, and that debate can be seen to have a negative impact on the image of the sport and their own image.”

Swim team leader Eamon Sullivan last night told Channel 9 the camp had been "a bit of fun".

"We were on team camp in Canberra, I don't remember which year it was, but we went to a gun range, had a bit fun, had a bonding session," he said.



"There was nothing wrong then so I don't see what is the difference is now."

The images of the bonding session show golden girl Trickett firing an antique weapon.

The AOC on Friday ruled the images of D'Arcy and Monk posing with weapons in the US had brought them into disrepute.

They ordered the swimmers leave London on August 4 as soon as their events are completed and banned them from using social media at the Games.

In a statement today, AOC spokesman Mike Tancred said the two matters were unrelated, and Monk and D'Arcy had been sanctioned for "breaching their team agreement as members of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team".

"The Canberra gun range visit was an initiative of Swimming Australia," he said.

"It had nothing to do with the AOC. It was 2007, they were not members of any Olympic Team at that time.

"It has absolutely no bearing on the decision taken by the AOC at the weekend."

media_camera Channel 9 news tv grab of Libby Trickett with the Australian swimming team at a Swimming Australia sponsored bonding session at a Canberra shooting range during an AIS camp. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Libby Trickett at the rifle range.

media_camera The Australian swimming team at a Swimming Australia sponsored bonding session at a Canberra shooting range during an AIS camp. Picture: Channel 9

Australian swim team members shooting guns at a rifle range during an official bonding session.

Sullivan has backed D'Arcy and Monk.

"They haven't really done anything wrong," he said.

"Shooting is an Olympic sport and shooters don't get into trouble for posing in their Speedos."

Sullivan said most people had watched action movies such as Rambo and Dirty Harry growing up.



He said the D'Arcy-Monk pose was just a case of "boys being boys".

What do you think of the AOC's decision? Have your say below



D'Arcy is a medal hope in the 200m butterfly in London, while Monk is in the 4x200m freestyle relay team.

The 24-year-olds will meet with Swimming Australia officials this week.

media_camera 07/06/2012 NEWS: * EXCLUSIVE * Bad boy swimmers Nick D'Arcy and Kenrick Monk are in hot water again after posing with guns in US gun shop Pic was posted on Monk's Facebook page. Bad look for both after their chequered past (D'Arcy's assault, Monk's deception).

Nick D'Arcy and Kenrick Monk pose with guns in a US gun shop. Picture: Facebook

Meanwhile, a 32-year-old athlete from Hoppers Crossing who is representing Australia in skeet shooting is posing for a men's magazine wearing nothing but a bikini and a rifle - but has been given the all clear by the AOC.

In what will also lead to accusations of double standards, the sporting body gave its blessing for Lauryn Mark to strip down for Zoo Weekly magazine.

media_camera Russell and Lauren Mark will represent Australia at the Olympics yet again. Picture: Michael Dodge

Lauryn Mark with husband Russell.

Mr Tancred said the governing body was not cancelling the shoot.

"She is a professional shooter, a gun is the tool of trade for her, and she treats it with the ultimate respect," Tancred said.



"I don't think you could compare her to two swimmers doing a Chopper Read impersonation in a gun shop."

With Wes Hosking, Stephen Drill, Alice Coster and AAP

Originally published as Swimmers impose social media ban