Beijing Olympics: American snowboarders safeguard coach Peter Foley after misconduct allegations
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Peter Foley and Callan Chythlook-Sifsof
US snowboarders at the Beijing Olympics strongly defended their long-serving head coach Peter Foley on Saturday. This took place when the latter had to face “super upsetting” allegations of sexual misconduct and other inappropriate behaviour against his team members.
The American Ski and Snowboard is currently investigating the claims made by Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, who competed at the 2010 Olympic Games. In a series of Instagram posts on Friday, she alleged that Foley had “taken naked photos of female athletes for over a decade”.
“I cannot watch another Olympic Games without saying this publicly,” Chythlook-Sifsof wrote.
However, Instagram twice removed her posts for violating the social media site’s “guidelines on nudity or sexual activity” and “bullying or harassment”.
Chythlook-Sifsof also went on to accuse the 30-year-old snowboarder Hagen Kearney, who is competing in Beijing, of intimidating behaviour and using racist slurs.
Jacobellis and Baumgartner defend the American coach
Reacting to this controversy, veteran American snowboarders Lindsey Jacobellis and Nick Baumgartner, defended Foley while Baumgartner said he was “like a father” to him. Notably, the duo won gold in the inaugural mixed team snowboard cross event on Saturday at Beijing 2022.
“It’s definitely been super upsetting to have that when we’re trying to focus and it definitely breaks up our team energy a little bit,” said the 36-year-old Jacobellis, who is competing at her fifth Olympics.
“Of my 20 years on the team, I can speak very highly of his character.”
Baumgartner stated: “It’s been awesome to see him grow as a person and a coach, and to have him help me grow as an athlete.
“I can’t speak any higher about that man — he’s done so much for us. All the coolest moments of my life have been right alongside that gentleman.”
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Sachin Arora
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