Athletics Australia was "blocked from pursuing a controversial Canadian Olympian," Kevin Tyler, as its next head coach, after the Australian Olympic Committee declared it would never allow him to be part of an Australian Olympic team, according to Michael Gleeson of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The Olympics bosses "intervened" Tyler's bid to be Australia's next head coach because the drug accusations made against him by his former coach "were sufficient to make him off limits as a potential member of the Olympic team." Until the AOC intervention, Tyler was "on the short list of six -- and favourite to get the job" -- for Australia's next head athletics coach. He is now "ruled out" of the position. AOC President John Coates said "under no circumstances would Tyler be approved" as a national coach for next year's Rio Games. AA interim CEO Phil Jones said, "We are now down to five. We cannot employ a head coach who cannot go to the Olympics. When it [claims that Tyler had used drugs when he was an athlete] came to light, we looked further into it and we thought it appropriate to consult the AOC and IOC for their knowledge and feedback on it, which they have done, so no it is not embarrassing for AA, we have been thorough," (SMH, 3/19).
