Kwan splits with Ference?
- Thread starter Bynx
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Jimmy Hoffa, here is a brief article that appeared in the Detroit papers about it. Not much in the way of detail.
"SUSPENDED: The U.S. Figure Skating Association has upheld its decision to suspend figure skating coach Joe Mero of Ann Arbor for one year for violating the USFSA's code of conduct, association spokesman Bob Dunlop said Tuesday. Last week, the association announced that it had banned Jackie Mero, Joe's wife, from membership for life for violating the organization's code of ethics and harassment and abuse policy.
Joe Mero, who had been selected by the International Skating Union as a technical specialist for the pairs competition at two Grand Prix events, including Skate America beginning Thursday, has been replaced, Dunlop said." (Joanne Barnas, Detroit Free Press.)
I looked on the USFSA web site under Code of Conduct. The only relevant thing I found was:
"Sexual harassment: Coaches do not, under any circumstances, engage in sexual harassment which includes solicitation, physical advances, verbal or non-verbal conduct which is sexual in nature and (the USFSA and its member clubs) will respond to complaints of such a nature to respondents with dignity and respect."
To me, this last part means that the person has to complain in order for the USFSA to take any action. The context of the quote makes it clear that the intent of the rules is to prevent coaches from using their positions of authority to gain sexual advantage over impressionable students, of whatever age. (Bothering minor children, of course, is against the law, so that's a different matter altogether.)
Mathman
"SUSPENDED: The U.S. Figure Skating Association has upheld its decision to suspend figure skating coach Joe Mero of Ann Arbor for one year for violating the USFSA's code of conduct, association spokesman Bob Dunlop said Tuesday. Last week, the association announced that it had banned Jackie Mero, Joe's wife, from membership for life for violating the organization's code of ethics and harassment and abuse policy.
Joe Mero, who had been selected by the International Skating Union as a technical specialist for the pairs competition at two Grand Prix events, including Skate America beginning Thursday, has been replaced, Dunlop said." (Joanne Barnas, Detroit Free Press.)
I looked on the USFSA web site under Code of Conduct. The only relevant thing I found was:
"Sexual harassment: Coaches do not, under any circumstances, engage in sexual harassment which includes solicitation, physical advances, verbal or non-verbal conduct which is sexual in nature and (the USFSA and its member clubs) will respond to complaints of such a nature to respondents with dignity and respect."
To me, this last part means that the person has to complain in order for the USFSA to take any action. The context of the quote makes it clear that the intent of the rules is to prevent coaches from using their positions of authority to gain sexual advantage over impressionable students, of whatever age. (Bothering minor children, of course, is against the law, so that's a different matter altogether.)
Mathman
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I think everyone is jumping the gun about Michelle and Scott. It could be that they are just friends as well as coach and student.
Michelle is too smart to do anything to tarnish her reputation especially since she has not decided if she wants to try for the Olympics one more time.
Could be that Scott is a shoulder to cry on for now.
Michelle is too smart to do anything to tarnish her reputation especially since she has not decided if she wants to try for the Olympics one more time.
Could be that Scott is a shoulder to cry on for now.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
There's also the United States Olympic Committee's Code of Ethics:Mathman said:
http://www.olympic-usa.org/education/ethics.pdf
Excerpts:
=============
Principle B: Integrity
[...] Coaches avoid improper and potentially harmful dual relationships.
ETHICAL STANDARDS
[...]
1.08 Sexual Harassment [very similar to what you quoted from USFSA web site]
[...]
1.14 Exploitative Relationships
(a) Coaches do not exploit athletes or other participants over whom they have supervisory, evaluative, or other authority.
(b) Coaches do not engage in sexual/romantic relationships with athletes or other participants over whom they have evaluative, direct, or indirect authority, because relationships are likely to impair judgment or be exploitative.
3.04 Sexual Intimacies With Current Athletes
Coaches do not engage in sexual intimacies with current athletes.
3.05 Coaching Former Sexual Partners
Coaches do not coach athletes with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies.
3.06 Sexual Intimacies With Former Athletes
(a) Coaches should not engage in sexual intimacies with a former athlete for at least two years after cessation or termination of professional services.
(b) Because sexual intimacies with a former athlete are so frequently harmful to the athlete, and because such intimacies undermine public confidence in the coaching profession and thereby deter the public's use of needed services, coaches do not engage in sexual intimacies with former athletes even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances. The coach who engages in such activity after the two years following cessation or termination of the coach-athlete relationship bears the burden of demonstration that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors, including:
1. the amount of time that has passed since the coach-athlete relationship terminated,
2. the circumstances of termination,
3. the athlete's personal history,
4. the athlete's current mental status,
5. the likelihood of adverse impact on the athlete and others, and
6. any statements or actions made by the coach during the course of the athlete-coach relationship suggesting or inviting the possibility of a post-termination sexual or romantic relationship with the athlete or coach.
=============
I agree that the USFSA has every right to be uncomfortable with the idea of a coach dating an athlete because most skaters are young and could be easily influences. However, how can the dictate that a coach and former athlete cannot date for two years after the coach/athlete relationship has ended? Especially if the skater is old enough. I have no real information that MK is dating Scott, but were that the case, she's a 23 year old woman. Also, he did not become her coach until she was 22. She's a big girl, and I don't see that as harmful at all.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
I always thought Michelle could've done a lot better then what she was working with but I guess she likes those type of guys. I see her dating a hollywood hunk or someone who is also famous.
I have question though. How does this pertain to figure skating, shouldn't it be in the off topic folder?
I have question though. How does this pertain to figure skating, shouldn't it be in the off topic folder?
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Hi, Pipsqueak. Welcome to the Forum. If it's kindness you want, you've come to the right place. Nah, Michelle is not involved with Scott Williams. I can tell by their body language in the kiss and cry, LOL.
Excidra, I heard that Michelle was actually dating Johnnie Depp, recently procliamed the sexiest man alive. What does this have to do with skating? Well, our girl skates better when she's in that happy place. Look how Irina's skating suddenly jumped up a notch when she got married!
Mathman
Excidra, I heard that Michelle was actually dating Johnnie Depp, recently procliamed the sexiest man alive. What does this have to do with skating? Well, our girl skates better when she's in that happy place. Look how Irina's skating suddenly jumped up a notch when she got married!
Mathman
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Tharrtell, did I say Johnnie Depp? I meant Tiger Woods. No, Justin Timberlake.
But seriously, I agree that Michelle has very consistently kept her personal life private, and I don't think that she would feel comfortable with seeing her name all over the National Inquirer in connection with a Hollywood boyfriend.
Mathman
But seriously, I agree that Michelle has very consistently kept her personal life private, and I don't think that she would feel comfortable with seeing her name all over the National Inquirer in connection with a Hollywood boyfriend.
Mathman
oooh, but I like the idea of Tiger. I have the utmost respect for the both of them as people and athletes (no, I don't know either so I don't know how I can say that), and I think they'd make a good looking couple. I do recall him offering her golfing lessons. I think she should take him up on his offer now that she's availableBynx,
If in fact according to USFSA rules, a skater cannot date his/her coach as stated earlier in this thread, and if a skater can be suspended for this reason then I don't believe Michelle would date Scott Williams.
It would not be wise to chance getting suspended if you are considering another Olympic try.
This is what I meant by tarnishing her reputation. Other than the above reasons Michelle can and should date whoever she pleases.
Ladybug
If in fact according to USFSA rules, a skater cannot date his/her coach as stated earlier in this thread, and if a skater can be suspended for this reason then I don't believe Michelle would date Scott Williams.
It would not be wise to chance getting suspended if you are considering another Olympic try.
This is what I meant by tarnishing her reputation. Other than the above reasons Michelle can and should date whoever she pleases.
Ladybug
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
That's an interesting question, Ladybug. What I got out of the Olympic Committee rules, as posted by Windspirit on this thread, was that these were sanctions for coaches, not for athletes. So maybe the coach could be sanctioned, but the skater does not face punishment (?)
Anyway, the U.S. Olympic Committee has other things on its plate than to worry about who Michelle Kwan is dating. The CEO of the U.S. Olympic commission was force to resign last year for inappropriately funneling big contracts to a firm owned by his brother. Half of the Committee itself reigned because of the political mess going on. I think that the criminal trial is still in pregress in Utah against the Salt Lake City Olympic officials who bribed the International Olympic Committee members to influence them to choose Salt Lake, etc., etc., etc. (Michelle skates quietly away, unnoticed, LOL.)
Mathman
Anyway, the U.S. Olympic Committee has other things on its plate than to worry about who Michelle Kwan is dating. The CEO of the U.S. Olympic commission was force to resign last year for inappropriately funneling big contracts to a firm owned by his brother. Half of the Committee itself reigned because of the political mess going on. I think that the criminal trial is still in pregress in Utah against the Salt Lake City Olympic officials who bribed the International Olympic Committee members to influence them to choose Salt Lake, etc., etc., etc. (Michelle skates quietly away, unnoticed, LOL.)
Mathman
Hi Jhar55
I thought it was she. This seems like a nice forum and so I don't want to print really startling stuff. Maybe Mr. Williams wanted to have an open marriage but his wife thought the two of them were enough? Just a thought that was put into my head by observers.
I thought it was she. This seems like a nice forum and so I don't want to print really startling stuff. Maybe Mr. Williams wanted to have an open marriage but his wife thought the two of them were enough? Just a thought that was put into my head by observers.
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