Snapchat sex scandal rocks Australian Olympic sport amid claims top competitor sent pictures of his genitals to underage athletes
- Allegations male athlete sent unsolicited genital pictures to underage athletes
- Parents of some of the alleged victims spoke out about the alleged incident
- They claim the athlete, in his 20s, sent genital pictures to girls as young as 13
- Complaints were told to officials and it’s alleged serious punishment wasn’t dealt
A Snapchat sex scandal has rocked one of Australia’s most successful Olympic sports with claims underage athletes were sent lewd images from an older sportsman.
Parents of female athletes said police were brought in to investigate claims a male athlete had sent unsolicited pictures of his genitals to other teammates via Snapchat, The Australian reported.
The parents allege the athlete, a male in his 20s, sent the unsolicited pictures to other teammates – including some as young as 13.
Under Australian legislation sending elicit images to children under the age of legal consent could result in a maximum sentence of seven years jail.
An alleged Snapchat sex scandal is set to rock one of Australia’s most successful Olympic sports with claims underage athletes were also targeted (stock image)
The male athlete has denied sending any images to underage teammates and claimed all images were sent with consent and to women of age.
But the parents of some of the female athletes said their children were left so disheartened by the alleged incidents they have since left the sport.
They claim one of the alleged victims took a complaint to a coach while in North America and the alleged perpetrator was only asked to apologise and no further action was taken.
One of the alleged underage victims said when the athlete asked her if he could send an ‘intimate photo’ – she told him no and then blocked his account.
However, a second alleged underage victim said she received an image of the athlete’s genitals before a video of him flipping it around in his hand.
One of the victims took the complaint to the sport’s governing body with a request that the athlete be given counselling and an official warning.
Parents of female athletes said police were brought in to investigate claims a male athlete had sent unsolicited pictures of his genitals to other teammates via Snapchat
Instead, the parents allege, he was promoted within the sport and given more funding to compete and an alleged ‘misogynistic culture’ allowed the behaviour to occur.
When one of the parents finally approached chief executive of the organisation in person, serious action was finally taken and he reported it to Victorian Police.
‘The athlete involved has acknowledged his actions and is remorseful, but claims all texts were between consenting adults,’ the chief executive told the publication.
‘He continues as an athlete and has not been associated with any fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour.’
The chief executive followed up those remarks by saying the sport retained a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any sexual misconduct or harassment.