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Britain's IOC member Pengilly expelled from PyeongChang Olympics for swearing at volunteer

Xinhua,February 16, 2018 Adjust font size:

PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Britain's IOC member Adam Pengilly has been expelled from the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games after getting involved in an incident with a security voluteer.

The 40-year-old, a two-time Olympian and vice-president of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, has been sent home by IOC from the 2018 Winter Olympics with "immediate effect". The IOC said on Friday that he had left South Korea home.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said at a press conference, "We had an incident here at the Games with a security volunteer. We take that very gravely. I haven't seen the video footage. I do know that we quickly summoned him (Pengilly) to see the ethics and compliance officer where the incident was discussed. He admitted he made some errors, apologised and has left the country. You will appreciate that this is Games time so has to be dealt with immediately."

Adams added that IOC President Thomas Bach had also apologized to POCOG.

"The president (Thomas Bach) this morning made an unreserved apology to POCOG, to president LEE (Hee-beom) who was there, and said the behaviour that Mr Pengilly has admitted was unacceptable.

"Mr Penglilly has written a letter of apology to the security guard and the president has asked to meet the security guard and asked to meet the authorities to apologise in person."

IOC earlier apologized for the behavior of one of its members in a statement: "The IOC feels extremely sorry for the incident caused by Mr. Adam Pengilly. Following an interview with the IOC ethics and compliance officer he will leave the Olympic Games and South Korea with immediate effect."

The disgraced Briton apologized for his actions in an interview but denied claims that he touched the volunteer but admitted that he had sworn at him.

"At no point did I touch him. This was my mistake and my error and I am sorry -- I should have turned around and I also apologize for swearing."

Adams told reporters about whether Pengilly had body contact with the guard, "I would have to see his letter of admission. He has apologised for his actions, I will try to find it for you. We expect members not to behave in this way and it was poor behaviour. If there was contact I will have to come back to you on that. My understanding is that there was some contact, yes." Enditem

 

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