The U.S. Olympic Committee will not allow Tim Nardiello to coach the American skeleton team at next month’s Turin Games, despite his reinstatement by the sport’s national governing body after an arbitrator found no evidence to support claims he sexually harassed two team members.
The USOC said its investigation found that Nardiello failed to exercise appropriate judgment with his athletes and violated ethical codes and the USOC code of conduct. It also said the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation initially planned to fire Nardiello after the Olympics, citing that as another factor.
Nardiello said he wasn’t sure what he would do next, and that he was “baffled” by the USOC’s move.
“I’m at ease,” Nardiello said. “At least I know what’s happening. It’s unfortunate. There’s obviously a political game going on that I don’t know about. They say I’m guilty of their whole book.”
In a letter to Nardiello, USOC chief executive officer Jim Scherr cited eight reasons for the decision – including Nardiello’s admitted violations of three sections of the USOC coaches’ code of ethics. Those sections discuss rules prohibiting sex between coaches and athletes.
Nardiello is dating Kelly Moffat of New Zealand, one of four international competitors he helped coach this season and who recently retired as a competitor. The code of conduct stipulates coaches “do not coach athletes with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies” and coaches “should not engage in sexual intimacies with a former athlete for at least two years after cessation or termination of professional services.”
The USBSF has until Thursday to pick its Olympic coach. Orvie Garrett, named the interim coach after Nardiello’s suspension, is likely a favorite for the job.
