Aussie Olympic flagbearer banned for sex with minor

Australian figure skater Brendan Kerry has been banned in the US for sexual misconduct. (AP PHOTO)

An Australian Winter Olympics flagbearer has been banned in the United States for sexual misconduct involving a minor.

Brendan Kerry, a triple Olympian figure skater who was Australia's joint flagbearer at the Beijing Winter Games in 2022, has been permanently banned by the US Center for SafeSport.

Kerry, who won seven consecutive Australian figure skating titles from 2013, provided alcohol to and had sexual intercourse with a then 16- or 17-year-old figure skater in the US in 2016 and 2017, ESPN reported.

ESPN cited a confidential summary of an investigation into Kerry by SafeSport, the US Olympic movement's sexual misconduct watchdog.

SafeSport also investigated an allegation Kerry forced a second skater into non-consensual sex at a party in 2016, but found insufficient evidence to prove that claim.

Kerry's ban, which ESPN said could be subject to appeal, only applies in the US, where SafeSport has jurisdiction.

The sanctions ban Kerry from any event or activity controlled by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Kerry was a registered coach with US Figure Skating in the 2016-17 season when the misconduct was alleged to have occurred.

According to SafeSport's summary cited by ESPN, Kerry "admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with Claimant 1 for an unknown period of time beginning in or around September 2016 when she was 17 years old".

Kerry said he was unaware the claimant was too young to provide consent for sexual acts.

The claimant described being "pinned down" and telling Kerry "no" on at least one occasion, according to SafeSport's report - an allegation Kerry denied to investigators.

ESPN said the claimant also spoke to police about Kerry but decided, in 2021, not to press criminal charges.

The Australian Olympic Committee and Ice Skating Australia (ISA) were both unaware of the SafeSport investigation until the sanction was released on Wednesday, Australian time.

"ISA is deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing of all athletes and considers this matter to be of the utmost seriousness," an ISA statement said.

"We are in the process of gathering and considering all information available in relation to the determination by the US Center for SafeSport."

Kerry won eight Australian figure skating titles, including seven in a row, and competed at the Winter Olympics in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

The now 29-year-old retired after the Beijing Games two years ago when he recorded his best Olympic finish, 17th. He placed 29th in 2014 and 20th in 2018.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store