(ATR) The Olympic Council of Asia has kicked an Iranian official out of the Asian Games after he was charged with sexual harassment.
The OCA said in a statement that Amereh Ahmad, who managed equipment for Iran’s football team, has been banned from all Games sites in Incheon. South Korean police charged him following a complaint from a female Games volunteer that he sexually harassed her at a football stadium in Ansan on Monday, news agencies report.
Iran's National Olympic Committee has been asked to send him home.
"The Olympic Council of Asia has issued a zero tolerance policy for any cases of sexual harassment at the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea," the OCA said in a statement carried by Reuters.
"It was not a matter of a physical attack; it was verbal sexual harassment. The OCA will not tolerate any misbehaviour of this nature and we will take a tough stance. We cannot accept this, so we have removed him from the Games."
In a separate incident, South Korean police have also charged a player from Palestine’s national team following allegations of sexual harassment from a female official at the athletes’ village.
Another case of sexual harassment has overshadowed final preparations for the Games. An Indian gymnast and his coach face allegations of harassing a female athlete at a training facility in New Delhi.
The cases have prompted the Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee to warn Asian Games officials, NOC representatives and athletes that anyone suspected of harassment faces prosecution under South Korean law.
According to AFP, organizers have put up warning notices in Games accommodation areas.
"Sexual violence is a serious crime that impoverishes the victim's mind and mentality," the message said. "Sexual violence includes any behaviour that causes sexual humiliation through physical contact. The assailant will definitely be punished and may bring down the virtue of his/her nation."
Main Media Centre Officially Opened
OCA honorary life vice-president Wei Jizhong took part in the ribbon-cutting opening ceremony of the Main Media Center for the 17th Asian Games on Tuesday.
The MMC, located in the Songdo district of Incheon, will be home to 9,300 media for the Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 Games.
The IBC is 10,066 square meters and will accommodate 6,200 broadcasting staff . The MPC, with an area of 11,720 square metres, will be the base for 3,100 reporters and photographers - 1,400 from Korea and 1,700 from overseas.
"We have to thank IAGOC, the Incheon people, the Incheon government and the whole of Korea to establish this wonderful platform of the Asian Games in Incheon," Wei was quoted on the OCA website. "The media and TV can make the whole of Korea, Asia and the world to know about the competition."
OCA Meetings
The 65th OCA Executive Board meeting will take place at the Oakwood Premier Incheon on Friday.
The 33rd OCA General Assembly opens at the Songdo Convensia on Saturday. OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah will hold a press conference at the MPC after the meeting around at 4.30pm.
On Sunday, the OCA Partnership Summit on Olympic Sponsorship and Marketing, takes place at the Songdo Convensia.
Reported by Mark Bisson.
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