‘Bully’ Mike Tancred to leave Australian Olympic Committee

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has announced that its controversial Media Director Mike Tancred, suspended from the organisation since April, is to leave his role.

The AOC says Tancred's departure is part of an organisational restructure, and not related to allegations of him "bullying and intimidating" colleagues – of which he was recently cleared by an independent committee.

Revealing Tancred’s departure from the role he has held for 18 years, AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll says the organisation can now move forward after "turbulent time", with two positions to be created to replace Tancred, including one to implement recent recommendations to reform the AOC’s culture.

Carroll told the ABC has been undergoing a review of its organisation over recent months, advising "as a consequence, Mike's role was made redundant and he has chosen to leave the AOC."

While cleared of bullying by an independent committee into his conduct, Tancred was severely reprimanded in May for his conduct towards former AOC Chief Executive Fiona de Jong, and a series complaints against him - some of which were proven - sparked a review that criticised the culture within the AOC.

He also faced allegations he bullied other former staff members and a member of the public.

However, the independent committee determined the accusers were not objective and the accusations were inflated during Danni Roche's unsuccessful run against John Coates for the Presidency of the AOC earlier this year.

The report advised “we have no doubt that some of the matters have been given emphasis, sometimes undue or excessive emphasis, by reason of and during the course of an election for the office of president of the AOC involving a challenge to the current president who has been in that role for many years.

"The election attracted a great deal of publicity. Each of Mr Coates and his challenger had his and her supporters, including prominent columnists and commentators in the print and electronic media.

"It seems to us that in some respects Mr Tancred was a casualty of the crossfire between the respective camps."

AOC President John Coates said Tancred had been a tireless worker across 18 years and 10 Olympic Games, advising “he understands that National Olympic Committees must preserve their independence and autonomy and was never backward in supporting me publicly to ensure our politicians and others are aware of this essential requirement for recognition by the IOC.”

The terms of Tancred’s departure mean he is apparently unable to comment to the media.

Looking forward, Carroll told the ABC “I am very optimistic with the staff we have, with the engagement we are now having with our member sports and with the great relationship we are now developing between us and the Australian Sports Commission, that there is a clear path forward."

Image: Mike Tancred at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

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