SPORTS AGENDA: Olympic bosses launch investigation into how a second convicted paedophile was permitted at the Games… after convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde was controversially allowed to compete
- Olympics organisers are investigating a second paedophile at the Games
- Australian sex offender Brett Sutton is coaching Swiss triathlete Julie Derron
- Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde is a convicted rapist at the Games
Olympics bosses are looking into how a second convicted paedophile managed to participate in the Games.
After the furore surrounding Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was somehow given the green light to compete here after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl and serving a prison sentence, Australian sex offender Brett Sutton, 65, was in the French capital to coach Switzerland triathlete Julie Derron to second place.
Sutton pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old but managed to get accreditation via the Chinese.
‘While we have safeguarding measures in place unfortunately things do occur from time to time and we will look into this,’ an IOC spokesman said.
Olympics bosses are looking into how convicted paedophile Brett Sutton managed to participate in the Games
Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde is a convicted child rapist and is competing in Paris
Murray's Olympic duties
Sir Andy Murray celebrated retirement by taking his daughter to the hockey and presenting Team GB star and fellow Scot Sarah Robertson with her 100th cap.
In keeping with the homeland theme, the tennis star, who brought the curtain down on an illustrious career following defeat in the doubles quarter-finals, lunched with cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy on his first day off.
Sir Andy Murray celebrated retirement by taking his daughter to the hockey
France falls in love with Olympics
French fans have flocked to venues in a manner not seen since London 2012. From filling the Stade de France twice a day to Rory McIlroy telling reporters ‘you don’t get this atmosphere at the Masters’, IOC President Thomas Bach might have been right when he claimed the country had fallen in love with the Olympics.
However, there have been the traditional issues with gaps in corporate sections and fans leaving multi-match venues after their favourites have left the arena.
Andy Murray was a victim, playing out the final games of his career at a half-empty Roland Garros. Chris Miller, from leading ticket reseller viagogo said: ’The IOC and local organizers have failed to address this, showing they’re not putting fans first.
‘Global events need global ticketing solutions and the agility to meet fan needs. Safe, secure and regulated resale platforms play a crucial role.
By excluding secure resale platforms, you restrict fan’s access. Fans and - sporting legends like Andy Murray - deserve better.’
French fans have flocked to Olympic venues in a manner not seen since London 2012
Andy Murray played out the final games of his career at a half-empty Roland Garros
Team GB chief's security run-in
Team GB boss Andy Anson had a run-in with security when he tried to enter the swimming arena at La Defense.
The chief executive was stopped from entering the venue because officials believed the Union flag that he was carrying was too big, and broke Olympics rules.
Anson was adamant that he had done no wrong, and after the offending item was measured and found to within the regulations, he was allowed inside.
Press frustrations in Paris
While few will hold any sympathy, there have been a series of issues at Paris 2024 surrounding facilities for the press. Food and drink has been an area of concern, with no kitchen in the media centre and microwave burgers one of few hot options.
Spare a thought for one American veteran, who managed to find a chicken sandwich only to go down with food poisoning which was so severe he ended up in hospital.
While there, a doctor told him he was one of many cases that had arrived from Games with the same ailment.
Gold medallist sleeps at the park
An Italian swimmer – fed up at the lack of sufficient air conditioning in the Olympics athletes village – slept outdoors on the grass.
Thomas Ceccon, who landed gold in the 100m backstroke, is one of a number of competitors who have complained about substandard facilities, which include cardboard beds.
He was snapped trying to catch forty winks on a towel next to a bench at the issue-ridden complex next to the Seine.
Thomas Ceccon, who landed gold in the 100m backstroke, slept outside after complaining about standards in the Athletes village
Seine testing causes more triathlon delays
Tests were due to be carried out on the Seine in the early hours with the once-again ludicrous situation that saw triathletes go to bed without knowing if they were going to be competing when they woke up.
The mixed relay was due to start on Monday morning but Sunday's practice sessions were cancelled following rainfall which saw levels of E. coli go beyond acceptable limits.
Earlier in the Games, the men’s triathlon was put back while both men’s and women’s practice sessions were dropped. More than £1bn was spent on cleaning up the historic river, in which Parisiens were unable to swim for 100 years. Officials declined to give the latest test results when asked.
The mixed relay was due to start on Monday morning but Sunday's practice sessions were cancelled following rainfall which saw levels of E. coli in the River Seine rise
Russia's volunteering applications
Officials declined an unspecified number of requests from Russians to be volunteers in Paris. State authorities are thought to have been alerted to a series of applications from the country.
An unspecified number, described by a spokesperson as ‘a few’ are said to have been given the green light.
Tom Kim misses out on avoiding National Service
South Korea's Tom Kim was in tears following the golf, after a final round of three under par left him down in eighth place.
South Korea's Tom Kim will have to fulfil his National Service duties after a final round of three under par left him down in eighth place of the Olympics golf
He denied his emotions were due to the fact that he had missed out on a top three spot which would have seen him avoid National Service.
At 22, he has another shot in LA in four years, as you have until 28 to fulfil your 18-month duty.
