The day the head coach of Canada’s long track speed skating team was put on leave, an internal independent investigation began.
Speed Skating Canada CEO Susan Auch said Michael Crowe, who was named to the head coach position in 2015, began his leave on Jan. 9, 2018.
“The decision to put Mr. Crowe on leave was based on recent feedback from our athletes and coaches and it was substantive enough for us to call on an independent, comprehensive and professional investigation,” Auch told Global News.
Auch said concerns about Crowe first came to light at the end of 2017 but wouldn’t go into detail about what they were.
The news comes as former U.S. Speed Skating athletes raised concerns about Crowe when he was a coach there.
“I really can’t speak to the actions to Mr Crowe’s conduct when he was an employee of US Speed Skating,” she said. “What I can say is that all of the actions so far by Speed Skating Canada have been based on recent feedback from both the athletes and the coaches.”
Former American speed skater Eva Rodansky wrote in a Facebook post:
“I would never accept an apology from him, not just because he took away my chance to reach my full potential in speed skating under the auspices of US Speedskating (sic) monopoly, but because he was sadistic in his interactions with me.”
Auch said she hopes for the investigation to be complete as soon as possible but doesn’t have a definitive timeline.
She said the focus is on creating an environment where everyone can train and compete in an atmosphere of security, respect and professionalism.
A former speed skater herself, Auch said Crowe wasn’t a personal coach to any of the athletes competing in the upcoming Olympics in South Korea so his absence shouldn’t have any impact to competition.
“I have every bit of confidence that they can block out any distractions.”
Global News has been unable to reach Crowe and Rodansky for comment.
*Please note: This story has been updated with a quote from Susan Auch, clarifying that she cannot speak to the details of the investigation into Michael Crowe.
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