Olympics chief Coates’s long-time spokesman Mike Tancred faces bullying charges

Will the Australian Olympics Committee’s spokesman make it to Tokyo? Chip Le Grand reports for The Australian, yesterday:

AOC directors have forced an extraordinary meeting to push for John Coates’s long-serving spokesman Mike Tancred to be stood down from any involvement with the Australian Olympic movement until bullying and harassment allegations against him are resolved.

The main allegation against Tancred. The Australian, March 28:

The Australian can reveal that former AOC chief executive Fiona de Jong … is locked in a protracted dispute with her employer of 12 years after making a complaint against its media ­director, Mike Tancred. The details of the dispute are being closely guarded by Mr Coates, who is facing an unprecedented challenge for his position from Hockeyroos gold medallist Danielle Roche.

Everyone has their favourite Tancred story. Former Age sports editor Dan Silkstone on Twitter, Saturday:

At the 2010 Winter Olympics I wrote a gently mocking, lighthearted blog about how silly the boxing kangaroo flag is … He found me at my desk put his face right in mine and shouted “I will end you … nobody here will speak to you now.”

Was Tancred triggered by the trauma caused by the kangaroo that year? AAP, February 5, 2010:

The iconic flag has been affixed across the balconies of four units at the Olympic Village … The International Olympic Committee ordered the flag, which shows a red-gloved golden kangaroo on a green background, be taken down because it was too commercial as it was a registered trademark. AOC spokesman Mike Tancred said the team will continue to defy the IOC in the name of Aussie pride and tradition …

Did Ryan Wells bring up the boxing kangaroo, too? The former AOC staffer speaks out about Tancred’s behaviour. The Australian, Monday:

I was very shaken and felt sick. It was totally out of the blue … The whole experience had a profound effect on my life. After that I couldn’t work with him and he never apologised for the hurt he caused.

How do you solve an issue like Mike Tancred? Dump John Coates. Patrick Smith, The Australian, yesterday:

John Coates has ruled Australian sports for umpteen years. Not as a prime minister must but as a king can … But the king’s reign over his homeland must come to an abrupt end. Any time this week would be good. Anything after that is procrastination.

And times are tough for America’s crown princess and her fashion line. News.com.au, February 13:

Retail giant Sears Holdings has become the latest big name to drop Ivanka Trump’s eponymous collection.

So, Ivanka’s fashion line has had a makeover. Business of Fashion website, yesterday:

At American discount retailer Stein Mart, Ivanka Trump apparel is now being sold under the guise of a different label. BoF has learned that the Jacksonville, Florida-based chain … is ­selling Ivanka Trump garments relabelled as Adrienne Vittadini Studio.

Has Ivanka’s rebrand inspired Marine Le Pen? BBC News, yesterday:

Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has announced that she is stepping aside as leader of her National Front party … Ms Le Pen told French TV she needed to be above partisan considerations.