The damage caused to Irish swimming by the deeds of George Gibney and Derry O'Rourke and the inactivity of some officials is just one tragedy to emerge from this episode. A handful of people have been able to destroy an organisation with 12,000 members.
Even as the Irish Amateur Swimming Association loses the public relations battle, it might be remembered that its own members were pivotal in bringing to light the practices of O'Rourke and Gibney.
More typical of IASA members are Ms Carole Walsh, coach at the Trojan club; Gary O'Toole, Gibney's former swimming prodigy; Maire Cunningham and Bart Nolan, parents who relentlessly pursued the correct course of action; and the victims themselves. Nonetheless, the questions now are how the IASA can recover and how long it will take Irish swimming to recover.
Between 1976 and 1993, two of the sport's most influential people were child abusers, and a third was later convicted of murder.
Gibney, an alleged abuser, was national swimming coach during 1981-91. He coached teams at six European Championships, four World Championships and the 1988 Olympic games.
O'Rourke, jailed for 12 years earlier this year, was national coach during 1976-80, and again during 1991-93. He also coached Irish swimming teams in the Moscow and Barcelona Olympics.
Frank McCann, jailed four years ago for life when he killed his wife and a child they had hoped to adopt, was IASA vice-president.
Allegations against Gibney go back to 1967. Those against O'Rourke stretch into the 1990s.
Already several people are threatening to set up an alternative organisation, although the Murphy report states: "It is recommended that the IASA should be the governing body to monitor the achievement of organised swimming." Also: "The organisation of Irish swimming at association and Leinster Branch level requires a comprehensive review of its objectives, constitution and governance" and the appointment of a chief executive accountable to a board of directors is suggested.
Early reaction from victims and families indicates continuing dissatisfaction over accountability among other issues, which will deepen should the IASA continue unchanged.
But setting up an alternative swimming organisation would cause its own problems, particularly for those who hope to compete in the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
Anyone can form a sports association. The Minister for Sport and Tourism must then decide whether to recognise it. Clearly, this has crucial implications for funding.
The difficulty that would arise for any devolved swimming organisation is the limitation of time. If another swimming body emerged and hoped to provide swimmers for international competition it would have to be approved by the international body, FINA. To participate in the Olympic Games it would also have to satisfy the Olympic Council of Ireland.
The OCI would look for its statutes and constitution, a list of its officers and their backgrounds, and an indication it could sustain itself financially and ensure correct safeguards for its members.
To allow swimmers compete in the Sydney games, the body would then have to be endorsed officially at the OCI a.g.m. which takes place in Dublin next November. The 27 sports federations, which are current members of the OCI, would vote either to accept or reject the body for membership.
The OCI would keep in close contact with FINA throughout the procedure. Only when the OCI was satisfied with the new body's bona fides could swimmers be nominated for the next Olympic Games.
But the most pressing issue for IASA now is not money - even through sponsors have long since disappeared - but confidence.
The tactic of using a solicitor to field awkward queries from parents in both the O'Rourke and Gibney cases has not nurtured an image of openness or concern. Victims often felt further victimised by the IASA when they were met with a wall of indifference.
In 1991, McCann told the coach, Ms Walsh, to "F***k off and leave it alone" when he was president of the Leinster Branch. Another member of the IASA executive told her to "back off" when she raised the issue of Gibney. Some "awkward" families in O'Rourke's club got the message that their membership was no longer welcome.
Today's IASA would appear to have grave difficulties surviving. Despite the obvious animosity between the association and its victims, a senior executive, Mr David McCullough, has said it should not be disbanded. But in the final instance, it will not be IASA's decision but Dr McDaid's. Already the Minister has crippled the organisation by withholding public funding.
"Given the extent of the reorganisation and training necessary, it is recommended that increased public funding be allocated to the association through the Sports Council," says the Murphy report. That suggests root-and-branch changes are on the way.