ATR First: Bach Backs Pengilly Expulsion

(ATR) Thomas Bach says the swift expulsion of Adam Pengilly from PyeongChang was "addressed in the right way".

"I’m sad about the situation that something like this is happening," Bach told Around the Rings in exclusive comments. "I think it has been addressed in the right way given also the perception of the seriousness of the site of our Korean hosts and given the incident so I think it has been dealt with swiftly and in the right way with his apologies and with him leaving the Games."

Pengilly, an outgoing IOC member from the United Kingdom, admitted to running past a security official at an Olympic venue and swearing at the person for trying to stop him. There are conflicting media reports of the incident either alleging a physical altercation between the two or just a verbal spat. Pengilly acknowledged in his apology that the official fell trying to stop him.

"I’m sorry for running past you when you asked me to stop, I did not know you fell over trying to chase me and hope that you are fine," Pengilly wrote. "I’m also sorry for swearing and I hope you did not misunderstand what I was saying. I made a mistake. My behavior was poor. I wholeheartedly apologize and wish you well in the future."

While the media have been left in the dark, the IOC has access to the CCTV footage of the incident and the IOC's chief ethics and compliance officer used it in ruling to expel Pengilly from the Winter Games. The IOC is not releasing the footage.

Bach told ATR due process was followed despite the quick action by the IOC.

"Yes he had his hearing with the chief compliance and ethics officer and he has presented his apologies right after so this is what due process is about."

The IOC president is hopeful for more positive stories as the last week of the Olympics begins.

"I’m very confident because everything is there," Bach said. "You have all the facilities, you have the athletes feeling good about the facilities and the village, you have the organization working well and the friendly volunteers so all the ingredients are there for successful Games."

Written by Kevin Nutley

Forgeneral comments or questions, click here.

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about theOlympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribersonly.