- Brett Sutton, 65, coached Switzerland’s Julie Derron to second place last week
- He received accreditation from China and was seen attending the event in Paris
- Sutton pleaded guilty to five counts of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in 1999
A convicted child abuser who coached Switzerland’s triathlon silver medallist has left the Paris Olympics, with the International Olympic Committee saying it is “investigating” how he was able to attend.
Australian coach Brett Sutton, 65, trained Switzerland’s Julie Derron to second place last week, ahead of Team GB’s Beth Potter.
Last week, however, he received accreditation from China and attended the event, where he gave an interview to Swiss television near the finish line at Pont Alexandre III.
Later images showed Sutton’s official Olympic accreditation cord around his neck.
Sutton has since left the Paris Olympics after being exposed as a known child abuser.
Australian coach Brett Sutton, 65, a convicted child abuser, has left the Paris Olympics after he was seen giving an interview to Swiss television
Sutton received accreditation from China and joined Derron’s (centre) celebrations
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In 1999, Sutton pleaded guilty to five counts of sexually abusing a 13-year-old Australian girl, a swimmer he had coached. He was sentenced to two years in prison, with three years suspended.
According to The Sunday Times, Judge Robert Hall said Sutton had interfered with the girl in a “gross and disgraceful manner” and “abused his role to an unpardonable extent”.
However, he did indicate that as national triathlon coach he was preparing a number of athletes for the Sydney Olympics and that they would be ‘disadvantaged by your absence’.
Sutton is no longer allowed to coach by several foundations.
“They’re gone. They’ve left the Games,” Adams told reporters when asked about Sutton. “Initially, it’s a matter for the Chinese Olympic Committee.”
He added: ‘While we have safety measures in place, unfortunately things do happen from time to time. We will investigate this.’
Sutton runs the triathlon coaching company Trisutto, which posted photos of him at the finish on Instagram, as well as a video of him speaking to Swiss television after Derron’s surprise second place.
Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping an underage girl, is questioning whether athletes who have been convicted of sexual abuse in the past should be allowed to attend the Games.
Dutch pedophile Steven van de Velde sentenced to four years in prison after raping girl
When he first appeared on the field on July 28, he was booed by some fans. He is also separated from the other Dutch athletes, which means he is not staying in the athletes’ village.
“What’s in the past is in the past and he’s had his punishment,” said Van de Velde’s teammate Matthew Immers.
Trisutto says on its website that “no one in the history of our sport has produced more winning triathletes” and claims the group has trained four Olympic medalists and 30 world champions.