An Australian gymnastics coach has withdrawn from the team for the Paris Olympic Games after allegations emerged of inappropriate behaviour.
Coach Jeb Silsbury was due to fly to Paris for the 2024 Olympics on Friday.
But allegations coming from a former colleague and first reported by the ABC state Silsbury allegedly commented on a colleague’s breasts and “slapped” her bottom.
After the ABC took the allegations to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Silsbury reportedly withdrew from the team
The situation has led to questions about the AOC’s and Gymnastics Australia’s selection processes.
The Olympic Committee told the ABC in a statement it was previously unaware of any allegations against the coach.
“The AOC was not aware of any integrity matters in relation to Mr Silsbury’s nomination for the Australian Olympic Team when considering his suitability for selection,” a spokesman for the governing body said.
“Further, all members of the Australian Olympic Team are required to make such declarations when signing the AOC Team Membership Agreement.
“The AOC is committed to safeguarding all team members and have requirements in place to support those that are under 18.”
Silsbury, who currently works at the Cheltenham Youth Club (CYC), is the personal coach of a Paris Olympics debutante, who the Herald Sun reported is 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kate McDonald.
News.com.au has reached out to Silsbury and the CYC for comment.
The ABC report states its understanding that Silsbury “was terminated from the Waverley Gymnastics Centre” before moving to the Cheltenham club.
Cheltenham Youth Club sent an email to its members on Friday morning, which was viewed by the Herald Sun, that outlined the club’s position.
“In response to media coverage today in respect of our CYC coach Jeb Silsbury, CYC would like to assure its members that the CYC coach recruitment policy is firmly aligned with the GA Integrity Policy and at no time during the recruitment process was there any cause for concern when recruiting this employee,” the email read.
“At no time during Jeb’s employment at CYC has there been any concerns raised by any athlete, parent or employee of our club in relation to Jeb’s behaviour or actions.
“And as I am sure you are aware, Jeb has been an active member of both the State and National coaching team throughout his employment at CYC.
“We will work with GA throughout these allegations and will update you all in due course.”
The men’s and women’s gymnastics program at the Olympics runs from July 27 through August 5 at the Bercy Arena in Paris.