The Japanese Swimming Federation has suspended Japanese National Team Coach Shigeki Kasahara for alleged harassment against his athletes, according to an article in The Manichi. According to the article, the suspension may be up to 3 years.
A third party committee conducted an investigation into Kasahara at the request of the Japanese Swimming Federation. The third party found that the coach had harassed his swimmers verbally and physically, swearing at the athletes and also “scribbling” on their faces as a form of punishment.
Shigeki Kasahara was most recently part of Japan’s coaching staff at the 2018 Short Course World Championships. The coach has reportedly filed an appeal for his suspension with the Japanese Swimming Federation.
This is a major blow to Japanese Swimming, who has had a tumultuous lead-up to the hosting of the 2020 Olympic Games.
Defending gold medalist Kosuke Hagino is out of the competition pool for the foreseeable future, citing a lack of motivation, while medal favorite Rikako Ikee was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year and will be forced to miss the upcoming 2019 World Championships while focusing on battling the disease.