IOC Ethics Commission Demands Explanation From The Russian Tennis Federation President Over Comments About Serena Williams

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ethics commission contacted the president of the Russian Tennis Federation, Shamil Tarpichev, for an explanation about his remarks about Venus and Serena Williams, which led to fines and suspension. Since 1994, Shamil Tarpichev has been an International Olympic Committee member.

"I understand the IOC ethics commission has contacted Mr Tarpischev," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. Thus far, there is no decision yet that has been made on whether the panel will consider sanctions or open a case regarding the matter."

In an interview on a popular television show, "Vecherny Ugant," Tarpischev referred to the Williams sisters as "the Williams brothers," before Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova were set to compete against each other for the number 1 spot at the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) finals.

The Russian Tennis Federation president since 1999 already made a public apology for his thoughtless name calling of the Williams' sisters. He was also suspended for one year from WTA activity and was fined the maximum amount of $25,000 by the Chairman and Chief Executive of the WTA, Stacey Allaster. The 33-year-old tennis superstar said to reporters at the WTA finals that she considers that the consequences given to Tarpischev by the WTA were promptly awarded in the most appropriate way.

World no. 1 Serena Williams also recently revealed at the WTA finals that she received a written apology from the Russian Tennis Federation president on Thursday. After winning against Eugenie Bouchard 6-1, 6-1, the 18-time Grand Slam champion talked about the issue during her post-match press conference.

Just recently, Williams, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest female athletes of this generation, claimed her fifth overall Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals title in Singapore after beating Simona Halep with a 6-3, 6-0 victory. The Romanian previously defeated Williams 6-0, 6-2 in the tournament, which is considered by some as Serena's heaviest loss in 15 years. Despite Williams' failure to reach the quarterfinals at the first three Grand Slams earlier this year, she bounced back to win her third consecutive US Open title and her fifth overall WTA Finals title on Sunday.