Australian national team boss Steve Moneghetti says he is disappointed but not embarrassed by the ugly incident that saw the head athletics coach and weightlifter banned from the Commonwealth Games.
Athletics head coach Eric Hollingsworth and bronze medalist François Etundi both had their accreditation revoked and were suspended after pleading guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting a fellow athlete by headbutting him and breaking his nose. Ringsworth was sent home and Etundi was fined $730.
Coach Moneghetti expelled Hollingsworth from the team after Athletics Australia suspended her for making unusual comments attacking Olympic champion Sally Pearson on the eve of the tournament.
Pearson was the fastest qualifier in the 100m hurdles final late Thursday night, despite admitting the Hollingsworth incident was a “huge distraction”.
Pearson clocked a time of 12.69 seconds, comfortably edging the next fastest athlete, Josanne Lucas of Trinidad and Tobago, by 0.69 seconds.
Mr. Moneghetti said he believed Mr. Pearson was unaffected by the drama with Mr. Hollingsworth.
“She seemed pretty focused on her performance so it didn’t affect her at all,” he said. “She was a consummate professional and seemed really focused.”
Moneghetti waited before sending Hollingsworth packing, allowing him to remain with the team long enough to support heptathlete Sophie Stanwell, who finished competing at Hampden Park on Wednesday night.
Hollingsworth was the team coach for the heptathlon, but his certification was revoked when the Stanwell event ended.
Moneghetti said he spoke with Hollingsworth and the coach admitted he violated the team agreement.
“I’m certainly not ashamed, but I’m disappointed,” Moneghetti said Thursday of the incident.
“I’m not embarrassed because as an Australian team, we perform with great integrity and pride and represent the Australian Commonwealth Games very well.
“While these events are disappointing, I believe the overall impression of the Australian team here is of great toughness, great spirit and great representation of our country.
“Some of the incidents yesterday were unfortunate, but they happen in gaming villages. There are 7,000 people living in the village.
“This isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last. For me, it’s unfortunate that I had to take action.”
Moneghetti said the Commonwealth Games Federation had ordered Etundi’s accreditation to be revoked for violating Olympic village regulations.
Moneghetti said his main concern was Etundi’s welfare and legal representation.
He also referred to another matter in the security court in which boxer Jordan Samardari’s brother was charged with assault for an incident at a boxing venue on Tuesday night.
Rais Samardari was reportedly furious with the referee when he stopped his brother’s fight 39 seconds into the first round.
Witnesses told ABC that Samardhari started abusing the referee and throwing bottles.
“I haven’t talked to Jordan directly. I’ve talked to the head of boxing and he’s aware of it and obviously Jordan is aware of it,” he said.
“He is happy with the way things are going. He is not affected by it. He is in the village supporting the boxing team.”
In other off-the-circuit drama, former Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker resigned as a Network Ten commentator after his wife was suspended for drug use.
Middle-distance runner Katya Kostetskaya has been suspended for two years by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Mr Hooker had returned to Melbourne with his wife and son, Mr Teng said.
The runner’s attack date was August 30, 2011, which coincided with the day she placed fifth in the 800m final at the World Championships in Daegu.
