Coach convicted of sexual abuse departs Olympics after being spotted on TV among China’s team

The Australian coach appeared on TV discussing Swiss triathlon athlete Julie Derron and pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a 13-year-old in 1999

(REUTERS)

A convicted sex offender who coached women’s triathlon silver medallist Julie Derron of Switzerland has left the Paris 2024 Games and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday it was looking into the matter.

Australian Brett Sutton appeared on an interview with Swiss TV channel RTS commenting on Derron’s performance after Wednesday’s triathlon.

He was wearing an Olympic accreditation and was also seen wearing a red jacket with the Chinese flag and Olympic rings on it.

The Chinese Olympic Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In 1999, Sutton pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old Australian swimmer he had been coaching and was sentenced to two years in prison.

The sentence was suspended for three years.

“I understand that this person is no longer here at the Games, they have left the Games,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a press conference on Sunday.

“It is an issue for the Chinese Olympic Committee and the national federation will need to get involved,” he added, referring to reports that Sutton had been accredited by the Chinese Committee.

“Looking forward I can tell you we will obviously look into this issue.”

“Coaches are not accredited by us but by the National Olympic Committees, and approved by the IOC,” a World Triathlon spokesperson said on Sunday.

Netherlands beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, a convicted rapist, is taking part in the Olympics in France.

Brazil’s Arthur Diego Mariano Lanci hits by Netherland’s Steven van de Velde in a beach volleyball match (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In his fourth and final match, Van de Velde again was subjected to a steady stream of hoots and whistles each time he served the ball. On match point, with Van de Velde serving and the crowd jeering him, Evandro delivered the winning spike to win 21-16, 21-16 and end the Dutch team’s stay at the Summer Games.

The teammates hugged, did the usual postmatch handshake with the opponents and the officials and then sat on the bench for a few minutes with an arm around each other’s shoulder. Van de Velde walked off waving to crowd, seeking out the orange-clad Dutch fans who were applauding among the others sending boos his way.

The IOC had already defended the Dutch Olympic Committee’s decision to bring Van de Velde to the Games and on Sunday Adams added: “This is an issue that was discussed with the National Olympic Committee and they assured us there were many safeguarding measures.”