Boxing Australia head coach admits sexual misconduct

admin admin | 04-18 00:20

Boxing Australia's head coach has admitted to "disgusting" sexual misconduct involving female fighters and has withdrawn from the Paris Olympics.

Jamie Pittman has apologised at the National Sports Tribunal, which has delivered damning findings about his behaviour.

Pittman, national coach since 2021, has withdrawn from the Olympics in Paris, and the tribunal has recommended a six-month suspension.

The tribunal found Pittman's conduct was "variously described as 'disgusting', 'shocking', 'inappropriate', 'gross' and 'offensive'."

"[It] made those who witnessed it feel embarrassed and uncomfortable around Mr Pittman," the tribunal said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Common to nine of the 11 instances of prohibited conduct are inappropriate comments or conduct involving the sexual objectivisation of women that is puerile, infantile and lacking in sensitivity or awareness.

"Especially by someone of Mr Pittman's seniority and standing in the boxing community who should be leading by example.

"There is no place in modern society for such conduct, which also falls well short of the standards of behaviour expected of those involved with CombatAus."

Pittman has also stood himself down from the Australian Olympic Committee's Indigenous Advisory Committee "for the immediate future".

He was also on Australian boxing's selection panel, Boxing Australia's coaching consultative committee, and the Indigenous advisory committee.

The tribunal found an alarming frequency of offences, between July 16 and October 26 last year.

"The prohibited conduct was not a one-off incident," it said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The conduct comprised 11 separate incidents across two separate team camps abroad and ... is part of an overall pattern of behaviour."

One incident was described as "a sexually lewd act in the presence of a female athlete under Mr Pittman's care".

"Pittman does not contend, nor could he reasonably do so, that any part of his conduct comprised an honest and reasonable mistake," the tribunal said.

"In actuality, Mr Pittman's unacceptable and at times puerile behaviour achieves the opposite outcome where a number of athletes and other support staff were left feeling confused, bewildered and uncomfortable because of his behaviour."

The tribunal recommended a six-month ban backdated to November last year and written apologies to a team physiotherapist and at least two athletes.

Pittman must also complete a training course on anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, anti-bullying and anti-sexual misconduct within 60 days.

Where to get help for sexual violence. (Source: Breakfast)

ADVERTISEMENT

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.


ALSO READ

USD exchange rates today: Rupee and other major currencies

The latest currency exchange rates have been updated, showing fluctuating values across major intern...

PSX KSE-100 index gains 158 points after profit-taking

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index ended 158 points higher on Monday, closing...

Gold prices in Pakistan reach record high with Rs268,000 per tola

Gold prices in Pakistan continued their upward trend, reaching a new record high on Monday. In the l...

Wall Street mixed as markets digest last week’s gains

NEW YORK: Wall Street stocks were mixed early on Monday as markets attempt to build off last week’s ...

Plucked and coloured: Auckland woman fined after doves found suffering

An Auckland woman has been prosecuted and banned from keeping animals for five years after birds in ...

Trump taking breather from campaign when Secret Service saw a rifle

Today was to be a day of relative rest for Donald Trump, a rare breather this deep into a presidenti...