Two-time Olympic champion and Kiwi canoe racing great Alan Thompson has been banned from the sport. The ban follows a long-running inquiry and investigation into allegations of historical sexual harassment.
Allegations against Thompson first surfaced in October last year. The allegations alleged that Thompson had made untoward sexualised remarks toward female paddlers in the sport. One such incident was said to have occurred in 2014, and another all the way back in 1998.
A third incident reportedly took place in 1991. Thompson had allegedly exposed himself to a female athlete whilst on tour in Europe. According to the female paddler, she had at the time lodged a formal complaint, which to her knowledge was never addressed or resolved.
On Wednesday night, delegates from Canoe Racing New Zealand’s 16 member-clubs voted by anonymous ballot in favour of Thompson being expelled from the sport.
During October last year, Thompson made several legal threats against Canoe Racing NZ for the way it had handled allegations of bullying in the women’s programme.
According to a statement released by Thompson’s lawyer, he is saddened by the way his relationship with Canoe Racing NZ has ended after so many years of service to the sport. The statement goes on to emphasise how Thompson will continue to reject all allegations made against him, while declaring himself willing to cooperate in any future arbitration processes.
Canoe Racing NZ said this week it had sought the expulsion of Thompson due to several factors – including the nature of his remarks as well as the impact of his remarks and conduct on female canoeists.
| # | Site | Bonus | Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Ladbrokes |  | 5/5 | 100% Match up to $250 NZD | Bet now Review |
| 2 |  | Betway | | 4.9/5 | Up to $60 NZD | Bet now Review |
| 3 |  | Palmerbet | | 4.8/5 | 100% Match | Bet now |
| 4 |  | Picklebet | | 4.7/5 | Login to see promotions | Bet now |
More About Trent Wilson
Trent Wilson is OnlineBetting.nz’s resident sports news expert. He draws on his extensive sporting knowledge, his qualification in sports management and his passion for betting to provide the latest, most up to date information on sporting events in New Zealand and across the globe. Trent is a veritable treasure trove of sports information and has been betting online for several years. He prides himself in keeping his readers informed, and in always offering an unbiased standpoint that reflects exactly what’s going on in the sports world.
View Posts - Visit WebsiteYou May Also Like:
Sports Writer Robin Herman Dies Aged 70
Gender barrier-defying NHL commentator Robin Herman has died. She was 70. Herman made history when she became one of only two female sports writers to enter a men’s pro-sports locker room in North America. She died at her home in Waltham, Massachusetts, on Tuesday. A feisty and passionate journalist, Herman ….
Broadcaster Gerald Sinstadt Dies
Sad news this week is the passing of one of the most recognisable voices in football commentating. Gerald Sinstadt, who worked as commentator for the BBC and ITV for over 40 years, has died. He was 91. Sinstadt had been a truly versatile sports broadcaster. He covered a variety of ….
Cannabis To Be Reviewed By WADA
Cannabis may have its day in WADA review court yet after the World Doping Agency this week confirmed plans for a scientific review to be launched sometime next year. Whether or not cannabis should remain on WADA’s list of banned substances will be reviewed by a special advisory group, the ….
No Tokyo For Javelin Thrower Tori Peeters
Despite having already qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games, Kiwi javelin thrower Tori Peeters may have to sit out of this year’s Olympic run after all. Tori was last week named as part of the 15-person athletics team headed to Tokyo to represent New Zealand. The naming function was ….
No Cheering At Tokyo Olympic Games
There will be no cheering for athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games, and athletes will not be permitted to visit restaurants and bars in Tokyo during their stay in the country. Wednesday saw the first “Playbook” of ground rules for a safe Tokyo Olympics published, stipulating that those found to ….