|
|
Monday, September 4
Coates: Comments were against 'team values'
Associated Press
BRISBANE, Australia -- Australian Olympic Committee
president John Coates apologized to the United States team Friday
over racial slurs by Australian long jumper Jai Taurima.
Coates said he also would talk to Taurima regarding his comments
at the training camp in Brisbane for the U.S. and Australian teams
that have upset black American athletes.
Taurima called the American long jumpers "dribblers" and said
"you can pretty much knock out all the dark guys" in Sydney's
cool conditions during the games.
The American long jumpers in camp, Melvin Lister and Savante
Stringfellow, are black and took exception to Taurima's remarks.
Coates, also the Australian team's chef de mission, said the
comments were against the team values set up by the Australian
Olympic Committee.
"John spoke to the U.S. team (through a representative) and
apologized to the Americans for Jai," Mike Tancred, the public
relations director for the Australian Olympic Committee, said. "He
said this was the first time he's ever had to do this.
"He said this serves as a timely reminder to all members of the
Australian team to respect your fellow competitors and observe the
values of the Australian team."
The team values are outlined in a document called "Aspire"
that each Australian Olympic athlete is required to sign. The
document stresses respect for fellow competitors, sportsmanship and
good attitude. It also says that athletes should not make
disparaging remarks about opposing athletes.
Earlier, Coates said, "If the comments are accurately reported,
they are at odds with the team values to which all our Olympians
aspire. We should respect our competitors. There should be no
racial jokes."
"I intend to talk to Jai to remind him that this is the basis
of which our team is going to compete," he said.
Lister, winner of the U.S. Olympic trials, and Stringfellow, the
U.S. indoor champion and NCAA outdoor champion, were furious when
told of Taurima's statements.
"I can understand him having the confidence to beat us -- but to
come at us racially," Lister said. "I want him to know I wasn't
satisfied with the comments he made. All that can do is cause
animosity between the U.S. and Australia."
While Coates was apologetic, the Australian team captains were
not.
Men's team captain Steve Moneghetti, a marathoner, said, "I
don't see that as a problem. He spoke his mind, he says what he
thinks. If that's what he thinks, I support that."
"It's not like I'm going to go over and rap him on the knuckles
and say that was ridiculous," Moneghetti added, "because that's
not the way we operate."
Then, he said jokingly, "We're disappointed as team leaders we
didn't think it up."
Women's team captain Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, a sprinter, said,
"We're working on it right now."
|  | |
ALSO SEE
Aussie apologizes, but U.S. jumpers still miffed over remarks
|