Sydney  - Swimmer Nick D'Arcy was Tuesday kicked off the Australian team for July's world championships in Rome following his conviction for assaulting former Commonwealth Games champion Simon Cowley.

Last year's assault left Cowley with a broken nose, eye socket, jaw and cheekbone, and metal plates in his jaw and skull.

The case came to court last month and D'Arcy was given a 14-month suspended sentence.

The incident forced D'Arcy's exclusion from the Beijing Olympics and his conviction is likely to end his career.

D'Arcy qualified for Rome when winning the 200 metres butterfly at the national titles in Sydney last month. (dpa)