By Duncan Mackay

USA Swimming has refused to confirm that they have banned double Olympic medallist Mitch Ivey for life ©USA SwimmingNovember 25 - Two-time Olympic medallist Mitch Ivey has been banned for life from coaching by USA Swimming following allegations of sexual misconduct, it has been reported. 


Ivey, winner of Olympic silver and bronze medals in the 200 metres backstroke at Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972, was given the punishment following a meeting of USA Swimming's National Board of Review, the The Orange County Register reported. 

Ivey, 64, did not attend the hearing and USA Swimming refused to discuss the matter until the deadline for appeal on December 21 has passed. 

"All proceedings before the national board of review are confidential," a USA Swimming spokeswoman said in a statement.

"With every case, there is a 30-day appeal period that must expire before USA Swimming can publicly share a final decision."

Mitch Ivey (left), pictured receiving his Olympic silver medal at Mexico City, is accused of sexual misconduct stretching back to the 1980s ©AFP/Getty ImagesMitch Ivey (left), pictured receiving his Olympic silver medal at Mexico City, is accused of sexual misconduct stretching back to the 1980s ©AFP/Getty Images

Ivey, who served as assistant coach on the United States Olympic team at Seoul 1988, had been subject of allegations of sexual misconduct since 1993 when he was accused of having an inappropriate relationship in the early 1980s with Suzette Moran, a 16-year-old swimmer he was coaching at the time. 

"There is no room in society for coaches who sexually abuse or molest underage athletes," said Robert Allard, the lawyer who represented Moran, told the San Jose Mercury News. 

"Mitch Ivey was protected for nearly 30 years by a culture within USA Swimming that continues to this day."

Earlier this year, another American coach, Rick Curl, was sentenced to seven years in prison for child sexual abuse.

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