Indian para swimmer deported from Japan after misconduct allegations
The Paralympic Committee of India has recommended a lifetime ban for Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh.
· 1 min read
Para swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh was sent back from the Asian Para Games in Japan after allegations of sexual harassment and molestation against a hotel employee. The PCI confirmed his deportation and recommended a lifetime ban.
Key takeaways
- Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh was deported from Japan after allegations of sexually harassing and molesting a female hotel employee.
- He was arrested by local police before being sent back to India.
- The PCI confirmed it recommended a lifetime ban for the swimmer.
- Shaikh won gold in the 50m and 200m breaststroke at the 2018 Asian Para Games.
- He had not competed at the ongoing Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
The Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya have been overshadowed by the removal of an Indian athlete from the swimming contingent. Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh, a 40-year-old para swimmer, has been sent back to India from Japan following allegations of sexual misconduct.
The Paralympic Committee of India confirmed on Thursday that it recommended a lifetime ban for Shaikh. Local police in Japan arrested him before he was deported. The allegations relate to the sexual harassment and molestation of a female employee at the hotel where the swimming contingent was staying.
Shaikh is a gold medallist in the 50m and 200m breaststroke events from the 2018 Asian Para Games. He has also been a former world number one in the 100m butterfly (S5) and 50m breaststroke (SB4) events. He had yet to compete at the ongoing edition of the Games.
The PCI stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct and behaviour that violates the dignity, safety and rights of others. It said webinars were conducted before the Games to sensitise athletes and contingent members about expected behaviour and the code of conduct.
The Chef de Mission recommended the strictest disciplinary action, including a lifetime ban. The athlete has been sent back to India from Japan. Further action will be taken by the competent authorities in accordance with applicable rules and procedures after the conclusion of the Asian Para Games.
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