Commonwealth Games gold medallist

Australian swimmer Kenrick Monk is at risk of missing the London 2012 Olympics after being seriously injured in what he claims to have been a deliberate hit and run in Brisbane, local media reported on Thursday.

Monk, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was hit by a car on Wednesday while he was riding his bike to training in Brisbane, suffering fractures to his elbow.

The 23-year-old 200m freestyle specialist was taken to hospital after being assisted at the scene by fellow swimming squad members.

Monk is facing up to eight weeks out of the water with the injury and is in the race against time to be fit for the London Olympic trials in March.

After spending Wednesday night in hospital, Monk said he was feeling “a little banged up”.

“I still feel a bit sore, but also very lucky,” he said.

“I have broken my elbow in two places which is obviously really disappointing at this stage of the preparation for the Olympic trials.” Monk told police and his coach Michael Bohl that he was run down on purpose “It was a P-plate driver and I believe it was done on purpose,” Monk said.

Bohl told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) the alleged offenders apparently showed no remorse for their actions.

“There’s no doubt that he was run down intentionally... they knew they knocked him to the ground, they actually swerved to get him,” he said.

Monk has been a member of the Australian swimming team for the past six years.

He was a member of the gold medal-winning 4x200m freestyle relay team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

He also swam at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was hopeful of qualifying for the 2012 London Games as part of the freestyle relay squad.