Olympics 2016: Scott Volkers banned from Rio Games -- Brazilian Olympic Committee

Australian swimming coach Scott Volkers has been banned by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) from taking any kind of role in the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The decision by the Brazilian Committee was preceded by the appeal of Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) president John Coates as reported by 9news. According to Daily Telegraph, Coates wrote that by reviewing the material that AOC sent over, the Brazilian Committee could put Volkers’ participation in the Olympic Games into consideration.

“We do not think that he should be involved on the pool deck, in the Olympic Village, or at all in the Rio Olympic Games,” Coates appealed.

On Tuesday, BBC Brazil reported that the COB has decided to acquiesce to Coates’ appeal.

Sunday Morning Herald narrates that the shift came when Volkers was committed to stand trial in 2002 on seven charges of indecently dealing with a child under the age of 16. Because of insufficient evidence, Queensland prosecutors dropped the charges. However, Volkers was banned from working with any child under the age of 16 and strict protocols for child protection were implemented in Australia.

In 2011, Volkers moved to Brazil to work with leading swimmers at the Minas club. The Australian reports that the AOC expressed disappointment that the charges against Volkers were dropped. Coates maintains that Volkers’ participation is non-negotiable despite the good reviews that he received from the parents of the swimmers he was working with.

Volkers is currently the head of swimming at the Minas club and has denied the allegations made against him. BBC Brazil has tried to find interview him regarding the issue but has not managed to make contact.

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