Marcel Aubut has resigned as head of the Canadian Olympic Committee in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment.
He announced his resignation in a statement on Saturday morning.
“Unfortunately, the current situation is a major distraction that obscures the COC’s real goals, especially with the Rio Games fast approaching,” Aubut said.
“For these reasons, I announce today that I am stepping down as president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, to which I have devoted the past 10 years of my life and championed with all of my energy.”
The COC is also seeking an independent third party to lead the process of investigating any complaints against Aubut.
Officials at the COC say it’s encouraging anyone who has concerns to reach out to the organization as it expands its probe into Aubut’s conduct.
READ MORE: As harassment probe begins, fresh allegations surface against COC’s Aubut
Aubut had stepped down temporarily as president and as chairman of the Canadian Olympic Foundation earlier this week after a sexual harassment allegation came to light.
Francois Rolland, a former chief justice of the Quebec Superior Court, was named to investigate that complaint.
But since then, two other women have surfaced with complaints against Aubut, including one who worked closely with him at a Montreal law firm.
The COC statement Friday came the same day that Montreal’s La Presse reported that the committee, in a 2011 letter, told Aubut to change his ways.
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