Media director Mike Tancred to leave AOC

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Former Australian Olympic Committee media Director Mike Tancred has stepped down. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

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AUSTRALIAN Olympic Committee media director Mike Tancred will not pursue legal action against the AOC despite being sacked after he was cleared of five separate bullying allegations.

Tancred has been squeezed out of the AOC after new chief executive Matt Carroll embraced the recommendations of a review into the organisation’s questionable workplace culture.

Tancred, who has spent 18 years as AOC supremo John Coates’ right-hand man, was central to several bullying allegations.

But even though he was found not guilty of specific bullying complaints, he has been dismissed.

The veteran communications manager had hoped to return to work after being cleared of the accusations involving former CEO Fiona de Jong as well as four other bullying claims.

Tancred claims his dismissal is “collateral damage.”

Former AOC chief Danni Roche accused Mike Tancred of bullying, which he was cleared of. Picture: AAP Image/Jane Dempster

“I was caught in the crossfire ... and I understand I’m collateral damage,” Tancred told AAP.

Tancred had been stood down on full pay — $330,000 per year — since April when the allegations first surfaced in a bitter presidential election.

Tancred was severely reprimanded for threatening to “bury” de Jong during a phone call in December.

Though cleared of bullying de Jong, Tancred was forced into a public apology.

Despite that, and the presence of other complaints, Tancred had been hopeful of resuming his career.

But Carroll today revealed a restructure — with no place for Tancred.

Former Australian Olympic Committee media Director Mike Tancred has stepped down. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

“Since I started, I have been evaluating the organisational structure of the AOC to ensure it is fit for purpose, particularly given the increase in the number of Games we will be sending Australian teams to and the adoption of new objectives for the AOC, particularly in promoting sport in the community,” Carroll said.

“In light of the broadening of our operations and responsibilities and taking into account the recommendations of The Ethics Centre Review of AOC culture, I have created two new positions.

“Head of People and Culture who with me will have carriage of implementing the review’s recommendations and importantly to manage our athlete centred programs such as athlete transition.

“The second position, head of public affairs and communications will have a strong focus on the development of strategy to influence public policy, build and maintain the image and reputation of the AOC and to find common ground with our many stakeholders.”

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AOC president John Coates and new chief Matt Carroll. Picture: James Croucher

Tancred’s position was clearly untenable in light of the widespread outrage caused by the allegations against him and, in de Jong’s case, the severe reprimand and record on his career file.

The independent committee investigating the claims found “in our view, nothing alleged here by the complainants, separately or taken cumulatively, amounts to bullying or other breach of the by-laws or policy.

“We have no doubt that some of the matters have been given emphasis, sometimes undue or excessive emphasis, by reason of and during the course of an election for the office of president of the AOC involving a challenge to the current resident who has been in that role for many years.

“The election attracted a great deal of publicity. Each of Mr Coates and his challenger had his and her supporters, including prominent columnists and commentators in the print and electronic media … it seems to us that in some respects Mr Tancred was a casualty of the crossfire between the respective camps.

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“At the same time as we have been making our determinations, The Ethics Centre has been undertaking a review commissioned by the AOC of the experience and perceptions of staff and other stakeholders to assess the current state of AOC’s culture and its alignment to the organisation’s ethical framework, ‘its purpose, value and principles’.

“What is interesting and particularly relevant to our conclusions is that The Ethics Centre did not find bullying was a problem at the AOC.”

Coates thanked Tancred for “18 years of loyal service which included 10 Olympic Games, summer and winter, beginning with Sydney 2000”.

“Mike has worked tirelessly for the AOC and the athletes in the Australian Olympic Team since 1999,” he said.

“He has strived to build and protect the Olympic brand particularly through his leadership and development of the AOC website and education program.

“He understands that National Olympic Committees must preserve their independence and autonomy and was never backward in supporting me publicly to ensure our politicians and others are aware of this essential requirement for recognition by the IOC.

“He has represented 205 National Olympic Committees throughout the world on the IOC Press Commission.”