(ATR) Outgoing British IOC member Adam Pengilly is leaving South Korea early after allegedly assaulting a security guard.
The IOC confirmed in a statement that Pengilly is heading home on day six of the PyeongChang Games on the advice of its ethics commission.
Details of the fracas with the security guard on Thursday are not yet clear but it’s understood the IOC Athletes Commission member has apologized. Some Korean media are reporting he assaulted a security guard.
"The IOC wishes to apologize for the behavior of one of its members, and feels extremely sorry for the incident caused by Mr Adam Pengilly," an IOC spokesman said.
"Following an interview with the IOC Ethics and Compliance officer he will leave the Olympic Games and South Korea with immediate effect."
The IOC thanked the authorities and police "who are doing an excellent job and deserve all our thanks", saying that Pengilly has "expressed his apologies to the security man involved".
His eight-year mandate as an IOC member ends on Feb. 25, the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
The incident is another Olympic embarrassment for the IOC after the ticketing scandal involving Pat Hickey at the Rio Games when he was arrested after answering the door of his apartment to police investigating the scam. The former IOC executive board member, who has denied any wrongdoing, later relinquished his IOC positions.
Hickey's trial in Brazil was suspended in November 2017 prior to his scheduled Nov. 29 hearing. An injunction on the suspension of habeas corpus for fellow ticket touting suspect Kevin Mallon extended to Hickey, and until the claim is resolved, the trial will remain suspended.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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