Boxing Australia’s head coach has admitted to “disgusting” sexual misconduct involving feminine fighters and has withdrawn from the Paris Olympics.
Jamie Pittman has apologised on the Nationwide Sports activities Tribunal, which has delivered damning findings about his behaviour.
Pittman, nationwide coach since 2021, has withdrawn from the Olympics in Paris and the tribunal has really helpful a six-month suspension.
The tribunal discovered Pittman’s conduct was “variously described as ‘disgusting’, ‘stunning’, ‘inappropriate’, ‘gross’ and ‘offensive'”.
“[It] made those that witnessed it really feel embarrassed and uncomfortable round Mr Pittman,” the tribunal stated.
“Widespread to 9 of the 11 cases of prohibited conduct are inappropriate feedback or conduct involving the sexual objectification of ladies that’s puerile, childish and missing in sensitivity or consciousness.
“Particularly by somebody of Mr Pittman’s seniority and standing within the boxing neighborhood who needs to be main by instance.
“There is no such thing as a place in fashionable society for such conduct, which additionally falls properly in need of the requirements of behaviour anticipated of these concerned with CombatAus.”
Pittman has additionally stood himself down from the Australian Olympic Committee’s Indigenous Advisory Committee “for the quick future”.
Sexual assault assist traces:
He’s additionally on Australian boxing’s choice panel, Boxing Australia’s teaching consultative committee, and the Indigenous advisory committee.
The tribunal discovered an alarming frequency of offences between July 16 and October 26 final yr.
“The prohibited conduct was not a one-off incident,” it stated.
“The conduct comprised 11 separate incidents throughout two separate group camps overseas and … is a part of an total sample of behaviour.”
One incident was described as “a sexually lewd act within the presence of a feminine athlete beneath Mr Pittman’s care”.
“Pittman doesn’t contend, nor might he moderately achieve this, that any a part of his conduct comprised an sincere and cheap mistake,” the tribunal stated.
“Really, Mr Pittman’s unacceptable and at occasions puerile behaviour achieves the other final result the place quite a lot of athletes and different assist employees had been left feeling confused, bewildered and uncomfortable due to his behaviour.”
The tribunal really helpful a six-month ban backdated to November final yr and written apologies to a group physiotherapist and at the very least two athletes.
Pittman should additionally full a coaching course on anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, anti-bullying and anti-sexual misconduct inside 60 days.
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AAP
