Former Australian Coach Scott Volkers Banned From Rio Games

Photo Courtesy: Kalina DiMarco

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

Former Australian coach Scott Volkers has been banned from attending the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, according to news from Inside the games.

Volkers is currently coaching in Brazil for the Minas Tennis Club. Eight swimmers from that club have qualified for their home Games. Volkers arrived in Brazil in 2011, after an ordeal with sexual abuse allegations in Australia.

He was first accused of abusing three of his female athletes in the 1980s. In 2002, Volkers was arrested “on suspicion of indecently dealing with a child under the age of 16.” While the charges were dropped, he was no longer allowed to coach swimmers under age 16.

In 2014 the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse criticized the way this case was handled.

Partially in response to this criticism, the President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates wrote a letter to Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman requesting Volkers not be issued the accreditation he was eligible for. That request has been granted.

Volkers’ club accepted the outcome, but did note that Minas Club has not had issues with him, even calling his conduct “exemplary.”

While Volkers coached two Australian Olympians, Susie O’Neill and Samantha Riley, he will be unable to be physically present at the Rio Games.

Read the full report from Inside the games here.

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Cindy Winchester

7 years ago

He must have worked for Belgravia Leisure. That is how they still operate……

John Martin

7 years ago

Yet another coach. The list seems endless