Olympics: AOC Chief Coates Defiant After Damning Review

An independent review of the Australian Olympic Committee's workplace practices released on Thursday has revealed a dysfunctional culture out of step with the Games' ideals

SYDNEY, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Aug, 2017 ) : An independent review of the Australian Olympic Committee's workplace practices released on Thursday has revealed a dysfunctional culture out of step with the Games' ideals.

The review, following interviews and surveys with current and former AOC executive members and staff as well as with national sports federations, did not find a bullying culture within the organisation.

But it detailed an environment of "senior leaders undermining each other, working around each other, and openly displaying hostility towards each other". Long-time AOC chief John Coates defiantly said he would not quit following the damning independent review.

"Why should I resign?" Coates told reporters at a media conference Thursday. "There has been no confirmation of bullying. There has been some criticism of senior leaders -- I'm the president, I'm not the senior leader that is being criticised." The review also uncovered a disillusionment with the way in which staff and national federations were treated by the AOC.

"While staff and stakeholders hold the AOC in high regard and express immense pride in what the organisation has achieved over the years, they describe the organisation as being out of step -- with both their ideals and minimum expectations for a modern organisation," the investigation said of its findings.