The World Surf Association has suspended an Australian Olympic judge after he was photographed with an athlete and his country’s team manager.
A judge from Down Under shares a photo with Australian Olympic surfer Ethan Ewing Olympia was fatal. For posing for a photo with Ewing, Australian jury member Benjamin Lowe was disqualified from the Summer Games.
“It’s inappropriate”
The International Surfing Federation (ISA) justified the decision by protecting the integrity and fairness of the ongoing competition. “The ISA is aware of a photo circulating on social media that shows one of the Australian Olympic Surfing Judges socially interacting with an Australian athlete and the team manager,” the world body said.
“It is inappropriate for a referee to treat an athlete and his team in this manner.”
The association said the decision was in line with the International Olympic Committee’s code of conduct, and reminded all referees and teams of their responsibility for appropriate behavior.
(abi)