London Olympics
Jarrod Bannister slapped with Australia-wide ban for code of conduct breach
• by: Mike Hurst
• From:The Daily Telegraph
• December 29, 201112:00AM
Javelin champion Jarrod Bannister has been banned for misconduct. Source: HWT Image Library
COMMONWEALTH Games javelin gold medallist Jarrod Bannister has been slapped with an Australia-wide ban by every institute of sport for a code of conduct breach.
The controversy threatens to cost Bannister his place on the Olympic team under a new ethics and behaviour rule introduced by the Australian Olympic Committee since the 2008 Beijing Games.
Bannister, 27, is a member of the AOC’s Shadow Olympic Team by virtue of placing in the top eight at this year’s athletics world championships in Korea.
But the Victorian Institute of Sport has since conducted an inquiry and Bannister and/or his nominated representative were requested to appear before a tribunal.
As a follow-up, the VIS chief executive officier Anne Marie Harrison has written to all state institutes as well as the Canberra-based Australian Institute of Sport requesting they support the VIS ban on Bannister.
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In a letter obtained by The Daily Telegraph addressed to the heads of all institutes dated 19 December, Ms Harrison wrote: "I wish to advise Jarrod Bannister has been suspended until 30th April 2012 for a breach of conduct which Jarrod has acknowledged.
"A review of his suspension will take place on the 30th April and his scholarship may be reinstated at that time subject to certain requirements being met.
"Athletics Australia have been advised of the position and may choose to impose other sanctions.
"However the reason for me writing to you is to request you do not provide Jarrod with any support service except through ACE (Athlete Career Education) for the period of suspension.
"I am not able to provide any further details regarding the breach, other than to say it is clearly serious enough for us to take this action at this time.’’
The fact the VIS boss has verified Bannister is aware of the tribunal and his ban is clearly at odds with Bannister’s comments yesterday when, after being confronted with the facts, he replied: "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know who you’re talking about.’’
His breach of conduct is related to alleged anomolies involving support funding and services.
The institute ban, which will cover funding for medical and related services, some travel expenses as well as access to some training venues, may damage Bannister’s training build-up to the Australian Olympic team selection trials in Melbourne from March 1-3.
Athletics Australia provides between $25,000 and $65,000 a year to its contracted athletes.
Athletics Australia CEO Dallas O’Brien told The Telegraph late yesterday: “Myself and the high performance manager (Eric Hollingsworth) were informed before and during the VIS process, right along.
“We’ve had some communication with Jarrod.
"We thought we’d let the dust settle and then speak to him in the new year about how we can move forward together and make sure he gets looked after. It is a delicate issue. We still expect him to compete (on the domestic grand prix starting in Brisbane on January 14).
“But we fully support the VIS process and action. At the same time we support the athlete and his welfare is of utmost importance to us.”