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Australian triathlon coach faces sanctions over fat attack
SYDNEY, Sept 4 (AFP) - Controversial former track cyclist Martin Vinnicombe faces disciplinary action from the Australian Olympic Committee for calling the host country's triathletes fat. Vinnicombe is bidding for a coaching position on Australia's Olympic triathlon team but AOC president John Coates said Monday the Seoul silver medallist might not even gain accreditation for the Games. Vinnicombe, a coach to leading medal contender Peter Robertson who won this year's World Cup event on the Olympic course, last week was reported as describing fellow Australian Olympic triathletes Miles Stewart as "fat with hog jowls" and Craig Walton as "top heavy". He said neither could win gold this month. "We thought the comments fell into the category of criticising team members in a disparaging way which is prohibited under our team media guidelines," Coates said. Vinnicombe has since denied making the comments. "There is a great responsibility that comes with being an Australian Olympian," Coates said. "You can talk up your own performance as you're motivating yourself but you should still follow the team values that our senior athletes have set for this team and which are the decent thing to do." Stewart was unfazed by Vinnicombe's comments. "Everyone's entitled to say what they think," Stewart said. "Obviously, Martin doesn't like me that much but that's just the way it is. I don't really care." Triathlon chief Tim Wilson said they had yet to decide if Vinnicombe was given the final coaching spot on Australia's triathlon team. "I've spoken to Vinnicombe today. I've asked him to provide some more information about the issue or incident and he's coming back to me as soon as he can," Wilson said. "Once we get that information from him we'll consider all the issues." However, he said the ultimate decision would be taken by the AOC. Vinnicombe is no stranger to controversy. He tested positive to anabolic steroids in 1991 and was banned for two years - a penalty later overturned on appeal.
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