Sexual harassment was major problem

Sydney, November 28: Sexual harassment of Olympic staff and volunteers not showing up for work were among major problems experienced by Sy...

Sydney, November 28: Sexual harassment of Olympic staff and volunteers not showing up for work were among major problems experienced by Sydney Olympic organizers, according to a confidential report.

Australian Associated Press, in a story from Athens, said the report was distributed at a Sydney Olympic debriefing in Athens as part of preparations for the 2004 Games and 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

It said the report revealed everything did not go according to plan during acirc;euro;tilde;acirc;euro;tilde;the best Games ever.acirc;euro;trade;acirc;euro;trade;

The document was compiled by the International Olympic Committee IOC, Athens 2004 Games organising committee ATHOC and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics organisers SLOC.

acirc;euro;tilde;acirc;euro;tilde;There were cases of sexual harassment of village staff from residents,acirc;euro;trade;acirc;euro;trade; Salt Lake Games observers said in the report.

The observers recommended that village staff during the 2002 Winter Games be appropriately trained to deal with sexual advances from residents.

But Sydney Games organisers played down the claims of sexual harassment of staff in the Olympic village, saying the two incidents were linked to a single Cuban athlete.

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acirc;euro;tilde;acirc;euro;tilde;A Cuban athlete on two occasions kissed female staff members at the village,acirc;euro;trade;acirc;euro;trade; said Steve Brien from the Olympic Coordination Authority OCA.

acirc;euro;tilde;acirc;euro;tilde;One or both the staff members complained about it to management and his Chef de Mission was spoken to. He advised the athlete that his behavior was not appropriate and he then ceased from such action.acirc;euro;trade;acirc;euro;trade;

AAP quoted Sydney Games sources as saying that one incident took place soon after the athlete checked into the village and, overjoyed at receiving a welcome gift pack, jumped a counter to kiss the female hostess that gave it to him.

About 30 key Sydney Games organising personnel are in Athens to pass on information to ATHOC and SLOC during a four-day IOC-funded transfer of knowledge program.

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The confidential report was distributed during the programmeacirc;euro;trade;s closed-door workshops and showcased many of the successes at the Sydney Games but also highlighted the problems.

acirc;euro;tilde;acirc;euro;tilde;There were athletes and officials who could not sleep at the Olympic village upon arrival due to accreditation problems,acirc;euro;trade;acirc;euro;trade; the Salt Lake group said in the document.

And tight security at the village also meant that athletes were left waiting for up to two hours to get to their rooms.