Ukrainian Swim Coach Banned for Six Years

[Kathy]

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- FINA banned a Ukrainian coach for six years after television footage showed him scuffling with his swimmer daughter at the world championships.

Mikhaylo Zubkov was shown pushing and shoving his 18-year-old daughter, Kateryna, during an altercation in a waiting area at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday. The scene was caught by host broadcaster Nine Network and quickly made its way around the world on the Internet.

FINA, the governing body of swimming, held a second hearing on the matter Friday and ruled that Zubkov breached the group's Code of Conduct and dishonored the sport. The ban was announced Saturday.

A disciplinary panel recommended the 38-year-old Zubkov be immediately banned from any activities under the jurisdiction of FINA or its member federations. The six-year ban follows FINA's decision Wednesday to temporarily suspend the coach.

The panel heard testimony from Zubkov and his daughter before making its decision.

The elder Zubkov, who finished fourth in the 200-meter individual medley at the 1988 Seoul Olympics for the former Soviet Union, can appeal to the FINA executive board or the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

Zubkov was in court Thursday after Victoria police sought to extend a restraining order imposed on the coach, who was banned from contact with his daughter.

The father and daughter have reconciled, leaving court together after Zubkov vowed not to repeat his actions.

Kateryna Zubkova was quoted by local media this week as saying the scuffle followed a dispute over her boyfriend and she has forgiven her father.

"I need him, my father and my coach. I need him by side," she said.

Zubkova competed in three backstroke events at the world championships but failed to qualify for the finals in any of them.

Here is a video of the scuffle that got him banned. Does anyone really believe this warrants a six year ban???


YouTube - Michail Zubkov fighting with his daughter Katerina Zubkov.

[stepanstas]

Thanks Kathy, real interesting