Banned-For-Life Cecil Russell Finally Kicked Off Pool Deck

OAKVILLE, Ontario, October 24. CECIL Russell, who has been banned for life from coaching swimming twice in his career, is finally being forced off the pool deck as a coach with the Dolphin Swim Club according to Randy Starkman of The Star.

Starkman has been relentless in keeping tabs on the situation in Canada. Russell was first "banned for life from coaching in Canada in 1997 for his involvement in an international steroid ring…admitted helping burn and dispose of [a] victim's butchered body in a corn silo beside his Oshawa home…spent four years in prison in Spain and the U.S. [for ecstasy distribution conspiracy charges]."

Russell later had his lifetime coaching ban lifted in 2005, but had the ban reinstated in 2007 after it was discovered that he had likely lied during his reinstatement process.

According to Stockman, Russell has continued to coach with the Dolphin Swim Club ever since his second lifetime ban in 2007. Swim Ontario, however, has stepped in to resolve a complaint against Russell's continued coaching with Dolphin. The organization issued its first fine ever, with a $2,500 punishment levied against Dolphin, and has suspended the club from Jan. 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012, from its membership in Swim Ontario.

This decision stops Dolphin from participating in any Swimming Canada or Swim Ontario competition, withdraws insurance coverage, and stops member voting rights during this suspension period. Additionally, Dolphin is now on probation from Sept. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2011, as well as June 1, 2012 to Aug. 31, 2012.

The City of Oakville has also begun to take steps against Dolphin, limiting its pool time. Even Mayor Rob Burton has stated that Dolphin needs to "stop associating with Russell." This becomes a bit difficult against the backdrop of Russell's wife, Erin, being a coach at Dolphin along with his son, Colin, and daughter, Sinead, both being Olympic hopefuls for Canada.

"Sorry it will have to wait till court," Erin Russell told Starkman in an email response to the situation. "Will send dates you understand then the truth will come forward."

Full text of The Star article.

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