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India's Olympic swimmer Virdhawal Khade has been suspended by the Khar Gymkhana following allegations of ‘inappropriate behavior'. Virdhawal is accused of sending lewd messages to an 18-year-old trainee swimmer whom he has been coaching for two years.
The Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association (GMAAA) has levied a one-year suspension on Khade. The Olympic swimmer has also been banned from participating in any meeting under the aegis of the gymkhana. The 33-year-old Virdhawal has since accepted the allegations.
A letter from GMAAA, dated October 28, stated the details of the complaint received by the association. It also mentioned that the swimmer has shown remorse and has apologized unconditionally for the incident.
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"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," read the letter (Via The Bridge).
Details of allegations levied on Virdhawal Khade by parents of the victim
On August 8, the parents of the victim filed a complaint accusing Virdhawal Khade of sending lewd images to their daughter. It stated that Khade was engaged in late-night chats with the young swimmer in which he sent obscene images. The girl has since expressed being left traumatized and has now moved abroad.
She has also stated that she does not want to pursue the case further. The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) has taken a note of the allegations and have removed Khade from Athletes Commission of the federation. The decision was confirmed by the General Secretary of the body, Monal Choksi.
Virdhawal Khade is best known for winning an Asian Games bronze medal in 50 m butterfly in 2010. The Arjuna awardee has represented India at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Kolhapur-born swimmer competed in the men's 50, 100, and 200 meters freestyle swimming events. Lately, Khade was employed in a government job that he resigned from earlier this year to get actively involved in coaching.
