Australian winter Olympic flag bearer Brendan Kerry to fight US ban over alleged sexual misconduct with a minor
An Australian Olympic figure skater has been stood down from his job coaching kids in Sydney after receiving a lifetime ban in the United States over an alleged sexual misconduct of a minor.
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Australian Olympic figure skater Brendan Kerry has been stood down from his job coaching kids in Sydney after receiving a lifetime ban in the United States over an alleged sexual misconduct of a minor.
Kerry - who carried Australia’s flag at the Opening Ceremony for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - strongly denies the accusations against him, which are not the subject of criminal charges, and is planning an appeal.
By mutual agreement, the 29-year-old has agreed to step away from coaching while the process is ongoing but told this masthead he would fight to clear his name.
“After hearing nothing from the US Center for SafeSport for almost 3 years, today I received their decision with no advance warning whatsoever, sanctioning me for alleged violations that I did not commit,” Kerry said.
“That decision is not final, and I intend to challenge this suspension and request arbitration before a neutral arbitrator as is my right.”
Kerry’s mother - Olympic ice dancer Monica McDonald - has also relinquished her role as president of the Australian Professional Skaters’ Association while the investigation is pending.
The APSA said it would launch its own investigation into the case.
“We understand that one of our members is currently involved in an ongoing issue with The U.S. Center for SafeSport. This matter is deeply concerning for all of us at APSA, and we recognise the gravity of such matters,” ASPA said.
“We respect the investigation process, appeals, and the importance of privacy for all involved. The person who was subject U.S Center for SafeSport investigation has stood down from all coaching activities effective immediately.”
Australian authorities are also seeking answers after they were also blindsided by the news that Kerry had been permanently banned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Peter Lynch, president of New South Wales Skating Association, said no-one knew about the pending verdict.
“We only became aware of the matter today. We will investigate the matter and take appropriate action to protect all our athlete,” Lynch said.
“The current athletes he is training are greatly affected and their ongoing wellbeing is a priority.”
The Australian Olympic Committee and Sport Integrity Australia both said they were unable to comment because they were still trying to establish the facts.
Established by Congress in 2017 to protect young American victims from sexual abuse, SafeSport does not have the authority to impose sanctions outside US borders.
Asked by this masthead whether they would share the case findings with Australian authorities, SafeSport was non committal.
“The Center does not comment on matters to protect the integrity of our investigative process,” the spokesperson said.
News of Kerry’s ban has created global headlines with American media giant ESPN providing detailed coverage after obtaining a copy of the confidential summary into the investigation.
It was claimed in the report that Kerry had provided alcohol to and engaged in sexual intercourse with a then-16- or 17-year-old figure skater while he was 21 or 22 years old, on multiple occasions in 2016 and ‘17.
Gracie Gold, who won a bronze medal for the US at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, told ESPN she was one of the two skaters named in the report, but was not a minor at the time of her interaction with Kerry.
Kerry told SafeSport investigators that his sexual intercourse with Gold was consensual.
According to ESPN, SafeSport’s report found, “insufficient evidence is available to determine if, on or about December 2016, in California, [Kerry] engaged in non consensual sexual intercourse with [Gold] … while she was intoxicated and unable to consent,” citing “inconsistencies and contradictory information” from Gold and witnesses interviewed by the organisation.
According to ESPN, SafeSport also investigated claims that Kerry forced a second skater into non consensual sex at a party in 2016, but the report did not find sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim.
The skater spoke to police in 2021 but decided not to proceed with criminal charges.
Kerry denies the accusation and has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing.
An eight-time national singles champion between 2011-19, Kerry spent years living and training in the US and Russia, two of the powerhouses of global figure skating.
He represented his country at three Olympics – 2014, 2018 and 2022 - and at his last appearance at Beijing, he was given the ultimate honour of carrying the Australian flag, along with aerial skier Laura Peel.
Kerry retired from competition two months later when he was not selected for the world titles in Montpellier, France and moved back to Australia to coach at the Macquarie Ice Rink.
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