Brendan Kerry: Australian Olympic hero’s alleged sexual offense against child earns him life ban from competition
- An ice skater competed in three Winter Games
- Was also an eight-time Australian champion
- Subject of an investigation in the USA
- Kerry has denied the allegations and has not been criminally charged
Australian figure skating star Brendan Kerry has been banned for life from competing in the United States over his alleged sexual misconduct with a child.
The 29-year-old – who represented his country at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics – has been hit with a ban by the US Center for SafeSport, but can appeal the decision, which was not finalized and was made public on Wednesday. .
The center’s website lists Kerry’s alleged offense as “sexual misconduct involving a minor” and states that he is not authorized to communicate with anyone else involved in the matter.
Brendan Kerry (pictured representing Australia at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing) has been accused of having sex with a skater aged 16 or 17.
He allegedly had sex with a skater aged 16 or 17 on several occasions in 2016 and 2017, according to a summary of the SafeSport investigation obtained by ESPN.
The summary accuses Kerry – who was 21 or 22 at the time – of also giving the minor alcohol.
He was also investigated over allegations he had non-consensual sex with a second non-minor skater at a party in 2016, but the center found there was no not enough evidence to prove the accusation, according to the publication.
Kerry denies the allegations, according to the publication, and he faces no criminal charges.
The 29-year-old (pictured at the 2018 Winter Games) has reportedly denied all allegations against him and faces no criminal charges.
Kerry (pictured at the 2022 Beijing Olympics) is also a seven-time Australian champion
Figure skater Gracie Gold told ESPN that she had non-consensual sex with Kerry. However, there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegation that the Australian did not face any criminal charges.
Figure skater Gracie Gold has since told ESPN that she was the second skater.
Kerry’s ban means he cannot participate in events organized or sponsored by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, or any other American figure skating organization.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kerry for comment.
Born in Sydney, Kerry was Australia’s co-flagbearer at the 2022 Games in Beijing, but is now believed to have retired from competition.
He won the men’s singles title at the Australian Championships in 2011, and every year from 2013 to 2019.
According to his website, Kerry first competed internationally at the age of 13 and “became the first Australian to place third in the short program” in two Junior Grand Prix events in 2013.
The site also states that he is “currently the highest-ranked Australian skater in the world.”
