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Former Olympian Kaillie Humphries files harassment complaint with Bobsleigh Canada

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Former Olympian Kaillie Humphries files harassment complaint against Bobsleigh Canada
WATCH: Former Olympian Kaillie Humphries has filed a complaint against Bobsleigh Canada. The athlete stepped away from competition in October 2018 before the World Cup season began – Jan 19, 2019

The national governing body for bobsleigh and skeleton has confirmed that former Olympian Kaillie Humphries has filed a harassment complaint with the organization.

A spokesperson for Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton told The Canadian Press that it has forwarded the complaint to an “independent investigator.”

Humphries stepped away from competition in October before the World Cup season began.

In an interview with the CBC released on Saturday, she said that the break was because of an ongoing harassment investigation.

The Calgary native has competed at three Olympics, winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games and the 2014 Sochi Games in the two-woman bobsleigh.

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She also took bronze at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games in the same event.

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“Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton abides by its harassment and discrimination policy that has been in place since 2006… Under that policy, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton has forwarded the complaint to an independent investigator,” spokesperson Chris Dornan told The Canadian Press in an email.

“We take any allegations of this nature very seriously. A safe training and competitive environment for everyone involved in our sport is Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s number one priority. This is a highly confidential case. Out of respect to all parties involved, and the process, we will not be commenting further on this matter until the investigation is complete.”

Hockey Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser tweeted her support for Humphries, saying, “This took guts and courage. Standing with you [Kaillie]!”
WATCH: Canadian Olympian Kaillie Humphries on fitness
Click to play video: 'Canadian Olympian Kaillie Humphries on what it means to be fit'
Canadian Olympian Kaillie Humphries on what it means to be fit

In September 2014, bobsleigh’s world governing body announced that it would allow mixed-gender crews to compete in the four-man event. In November of that year, Humphries piloted a mixed-gender team to the bronze medal in the Canadian four-man bobsleigh championships.

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She and Elana Meyers of the United States became the first women to compete in a men’s international competition later that month.

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