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‘Integrity breach’ at Games prompts resignation

Dana Johannsen and Zoe George

Cycling New Zealand’s high performance director Martin Barras has resigned after an ‘‘integrity breach’’ at the Tokyo Olympics was revealed.

Outgoing Cycling NZ chief executive Jacques Landry said after the Games team returned, he became aware of a possible integrity breach during one of the cycling events.

An independent investigation commissioned by the New Zealand Olympic Committee found that both its and Cycling NZ’s codes of conduct had been breached.

‘‘As a result, I initiated discussions with the high performance director Martin Barras,’’ Landry said.

While Barras was not directly involved in the incident, as director he was ultimately responsible for the conduct of the team at the Games.

In a separate statement, the NZOC said the investigation it commissioned by barrister Don Mackinnon revealed the process to replace an athlete during a cycling event at Tokyo 2020 was not conducted according to IOC and UCI rules.

Extra riders are allowed to be taken to an Olympic Games, but once teams submit their starting lineup, changes can only be made in case of injury or illness.

The NZOC confirmed to Stuff that the breach did not relate to any medal-winning performances.

Campbell Stewart, the 2019 world champion, won silver in the fourevent omnium discipline after Aaron Gate was ruled out following a heavy crash when the New Zealand men’s pursuit team was leading Australia in the bronze medal race. He suffered a fractured collarbone and was ruled out of his remaining events at the Olympics.

The IOC had been briefed on the investigation and its findings and was satisfied with the action taken by the NZOC, the statement said.

The investigation was carried out under conditions of confidentiality and anonymity for the interviewees involved.

Some people had been ‘‘unfairly impacted by the breach’’. The NZOC would not, therefore, publicly release MacKinnon’s report.

‘‘Cycling New Zealand was extremely disappointed to learn of this incident. The Code of Conduct has been made patently clear to everyone, especially since it was strengthened after 2018,’’ Landry said.

In a statement, High Performance Sport New Zealand said it was disappointed to hear about the decision that was made by New Zealand track cycling officials in Tokyo.

‘‘This decision lacked the integrity expected from officials who represent NZ on the world stage,’’ chief executive Raelene Castle said.

‘‘HPSNZ is fully supportive of the investigation commissioned by the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and its outcome.’’

Barras, who joined Cycling NZ in 2018 following a lengthy stint as a senior track coach with Cycling Australia, oversaw the organisation’s high performance operations. He also played a key role in selections for major campaigns including the Tokyo Olympics.

Cycling NZ’s Athlete Voice Committee raised concerns about the selection process in an August 2020 meeting, at a time in which several athletes were engaged in disputes with the national body over Tokyo selections.

The committee – which was facilitated by Landry and involves current and former cyclists – asked for more transparency around selection criteria, and for better communication on selection decisions.

Barras’ resignation follows that of chief executive Landry on Monday. Stuff understands high performance coach Rene Wollf has also resigned. It is understood Wolff is returning to Europe to take up a coaching role.

Sport

en-nz

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://stuff.pressreader.com/article/282634625888183

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