Swimming
Olympian Virdhawal Khade suspended due to 'inappropriate behaviour'
The 33-year-old swimmer is suspended by Khar Gymkhana after allegations of him sending lewd images to a trainee surface in August.
Representative Photo
Ace Indian swimmer Virdhawal Khade is in trouble due to allegations of sexual harassment by a student he has been coaching for two years.
The Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association (GMAAA) suspended Virdhawal Khade for one year and banned him from participating in any meeting under the aegis of the gymkhana after he accepted the allegations.
As reported by Sakal Digital, the parents of the 18-year-old swimmer filed the complaint on August 8, 2024, following which a committee was formed that decided to suspend Virdhawal.
The complaint alleged that Virdhawal was engaged in late-night chats with the girl and sent obscene images to her leaving the girl traumatized.
A letter dated 28th October 2024 from GMAAA said, "A complaint was received from an aggrieved parent of a girl swimmer you coached at a suburban Gymkhana in Mumbai for the past couple of years citing inappropriate behavior on your part which left her daughter outraged, scarred and traumatized. In her detailed complaint, the parent indicated that the unsavory incident occurred on the night of 8th August 2024."
The letter further stated that Virdhawal expressed regret, remorse, and repentance at what transpired on the night of 8th August 2024 as an isolated case of deviant behaviour while unconditionally apologizing for the same.
However, the girl who has moved abroad now said she doesn't want to pursue the case further.
The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) has taken cognizance of the matter and General Secretary Monal Choksi confirmed that he has been removed from the Athletes Commission of the federation.
Talking to Deccan Herald, Monal said, "We got the letter from the GMAAA on October 30, and we have a disciplinary committee to look into it. We also have a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee to address these sorts of issues. This case will be thoroughly investigated."
The Kolhapur-born swimmer only earlier this year gave up his government job in Maharashtra to focus on ‘coaching the next generation’ but things look going south for him now.
