AOC warns against appointing Tyler as athletics coach

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Australian Olympic Committee sent out a strong warning to Athletics Australia against appointing Kevin Tyler for the 2016 Rio Games on Thursday after the controversial coach was short-listed for the position.





The former Canadian sprinter and bobsledder previously trained alongside banned drug cheat Ben Johnson and was accused by his own coach Charlie Francis of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Tyler has never failed a drugs test and denied all doping allegations but the AOC made it clear he was not a suitable candidate to replace Eric Hollingsworth.

"At its meeting today the AOC Executive resolved to inform Athletics Australia that it will decline to appoint Kevin Tyler as an official of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team if nominated by Athletics Australia," AOC president John Coates said in a short statement.

Tyler is currently working as track and field coach with Oklahoma University having previously held a position with UK Athletics, which he left after failing to hit a medal a target at the 2012 London Olympics.

AA said they were currently doing background checks on Tyler and five other candidates and had noted the AOC's position but not decided on who to select for the role.

"We are continuing a very extensive due diligence process that has included consultation with stakeholders including the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Olympic Committee and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association," a statement said.

"Athletics Australia will continue the due diligence process for the other five candidates currently being considered and we will only make a decision on the head coach position after we have completed the thorough process currently underway."





(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by John O'Brien)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world