Brett seemed/seems to have serious issues with Les McDonald, and I am not clear what the exact wording and stipulations of the ITU sanctions were. (EDIT: added the following ->It's also not entirely clear how much was Les McDonald's personal opposition to Brett and how much was an official ITU position.<-) However, yes, I agree that he certainly violated the spirit of the ban, and - in some cases per appearing at ITU events and being escorted away - even the letter of it. However, that was a decade ago (EDIT for clarity - Brett committed this trangsression 25 years ago, but it only came out ~15yrs ago, which helps if someone is trying to do the math on how he could be 52 now, 27 when it happened.), and I was willing to accept that he may have changed, especially in light of what I heard from athletes who worked directly with him.
What really concerns me is that it definitely appears that he is in fact coaching minors, which I really cannot agree with or support. I have tried to get some direct confirmation, as I do not want to assume the worst. That said, it's hard not to. However, there are some circumstances that I would not absolutely decry. E.g., Brett is the head coach of TBB. TBB has a youth program that Brett thinks is a positive thing. As long as his role in the program is administrative - and not direct involvement with any of the kids - I can sort of see that being okay (like our LAPD cop getting a desk job with the NYPD). In other words, I think, for example, that he should be allowed to write a book, "swim technique for juniors;" I definitely do not think that he should be allowed to show that swim technique to juniors firsthand.
But, as I said, this is definitely the first I've heard of it. And if it's clear that he is working with minors, I do not support that, and will speak with Dan and Herbert to make sure that Slowtwitch doesn't support that, and I will cease to engage with Brett. I certainly won't bury my head in the sand, but I'd like to get some first hand confirmation - not just a 140 character comment and a single news article. I hope that is understandable.
"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp
What really concerns me is that it definitely appears that he is in fact coaching minors, which I really cannot agree with or support. I have tried to get some direct confirmation, as I do not want to assume the worst. That said, it's hard not to. However, there are some circumstances that I would not absolutely decry. E.g., Brett is the head coach of TBB. TBB has a youth program that Brett thinks is a positive thing. As long as his role in the program is administrative - and not direct involvement with any of the kids - I can sort of see that being okay (like our LAPD cop getting a desk job with the NYPD). In other words, I think, for example, that he should be allowed to write a book, "swim technique for juniors;" I definitely do not think that he should be allowed to show that swim technique to juniors firsthand.
But, as I said, this is definitely the first I've heard of it. And if it's clear that he is working with minors, I do not support that, and will speak with Dan and Herbert to make sure that Slowtwitch doesn't support that, and I will cease to engage with Brett. I certainly won't bury my head in the sand, but I'd like to get some first hand confirmation - not just a 140 character comment and a single news article. I hope that is understandable.
"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp