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31.07.2014 Sports News

Time for reason: Athletics Australia explain reasons behind Eric Hollingsworth suspension

By Allsports.com.gh
Time for reason: Athletics Australia explain reasons behind Eric Hollingsworth suspension
31.07.2014 LISTEN

Hollingsworth hit out at Australia's leading athlete Sally Pearson on Wednesday, claiming the Olympic 100 metre hurdles champion had set a bad example to younger competitors by not attending a pre-Commonwealth Games training camp.

A statement released by Athletics Australia confirmed that Hollingsworth had been suspended and criticised the timing of his remarks, with Pearson set to compete in the heats of her event on Thursday.

"Athletics Australia is bitterly disappointed that Eric Hollingsworth has chosen to make a statement to the media at a time when our focus as a group should be wholly on supporting our athletes' performances," the statement read.

"He acted without the authority of Athletics Australia and in contravention of the specific instructions of the chief executive officer.

"Athletics Australia condemns in the strongest terms his disparaging comments about Sally Pearson and his timing.

"We have therefore suspended Eric Hollingsworth as an employee of Athletics Australia until such time as the Athletics Australia Board can convene to consider the matter."

David Grace, president of AA, revealed his disappointment at how the situation had developed between Hollingsworth and one of the country's top competitors.

"We're deeply shocked, and very upset with his decision to go public with his comments," he told reporters.

"They were unexpected. We had discussed his complaints with him and directed him not to comment to the media and that we would discuss his complaints at a later time after the Games had concluded.

"We don't need these distractions, the athletes don't need these distractions and it's very unfortunate that it's happened.

"The board reached a decision today unanimously that we felt we had no option but to suspend him.

"We've known of upset between Sally Pearson and Eric Hollingsworth for some time. We've taken steps to ensure that the relationship is managed, and that has posed no problems until these issues have been raised."

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