AOC promises overhaul after review says it is 'out of step' with Olympic ideals

The Australian Olympic Committee has committed to implement wide-reaching organisational change after an independent review into workplace culture found it to be out of step with the ideals of the Olympic movement.

The Ethics Centre was commissioned to conduct the review, based on the experiences and perceptions of staff and stakeholders, after allegations of bullying within the AOC involving long-time media director Mike Tancred emerged earlier this year. The AOC is responsible for Australia’s performance at the winter and summer Olympics.

“While staff and stakeholders hold the AOC in high regard and express immense pride in what the organisation has achieved over the years, they describe the organisation as being out of step – with both their ideals and minimum expectations for a modern organisation,” the investigation found.

“Instead of seeing the organisation as celebrating the best of the Olympic ideals, staff and stakeholders speak of a more immediate horizon of challenges and difficulties that stem from a culture that is not aligned with the ideals that the organisation aspires to uphold.”

AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said the review provided a platform “to reset the organisation”. “The AOC’s modes of operation that may at one time have served us well are being questioned and our organisational culture has come under scrutiny,” he said.

The AOC said it would implement all 17 recommendations of the review, with three to be rolled out immediately: a review of the governance model; the establishment of a sub-committee of the executive to oversee the delivery of the recommendations; and the appointment of a dedicated people and culture resource.

“The AOC executive acknowledges the reality of the challenge we face in this area and we are committed to build a culture that is fit for purpose and aligned to our exposed values and principles,” Carroll said.

“The executive acknowledges to staff and stakeholders that there have been behaviours and practices that have not been aligned to the AOC’s values. I have a very strong view that you lead by the example you set. Not words, actions.”

Tancred in June apologised for his “hurtful” and “inappropriate” conduct towards the organisation’s former chief executive Fiona De Jong, whose allegations were made last year but only came to light in April.

Tancred, who stood down from his position when the allegations emerged during a bitter AOC presidential campaign between John Coates and challenger Danni Roche, was cleared of bullying but reprimanded for “disreputable conduct”.

He remains stood down, on full pay, while a panel of former judges investigate four separate complaints made against him. He will discover his fate on 31 August.

Coates, who retained his position after being re-elected in May, said on Thursday he was not to blame for the culture staff had objected to and that he would not consider standing down.

“Why should I resign?” Coates said. “There has been no confirmation of bullying. There has been some criticism of senior leaders – I’m the president, I’m not the senior leader that is being criticised. There has been no treatment of the staff by me that is objectionable.”

Also on Thursday, Ian Chesterman was announced as Australia’s chef de mission for the 2020 Tokyo Games. The 58-year-old, who has been on the AOC’s executive board since 2001, replaces Kitty Chiller, who stepped down from the position after last year’s challenging Rio Games. He has experience of the role, having been chef de mission for Australia’s Winter Olympics teams since 1998.

“The focus for me has always been, and will always be, on the athletes,” Chesterman said. “It doesn’t matter whether they are in a ski suit or a swim suit. Our challenge is how do we give every team member the best chance to produce their best performance on the day that matters most to them.”