Games: Disgraced NZ bowler says sorry for harassment

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Games: Disgraced NZ bowler says sorry for harassment

PALMERSTON NORTH, NZ, Aug 3 NZPA - A disgraced New Zealand lawn bowler says his sexualharassment of a female Commonwealth Games volunteer was just a joke sparked by an incidentinvolving a streaker.

John Davies, a 60-year-old disabled bowls player, was sent home from Manchester onTuesday for inappropriately touching a Games volunteer.

Davies has held a news conference in New Zealand, accompanied by his wife Bev, to publiclyapologise for what he described as "a moment of stupidity" he would regret forever.

Davies, who has one leg amputated below the knee, said the incident which cost hismen's disabled triples team a chance at a gold medal happened in the communal area ofthe Games village while he was heading to the evening dinner.

He admitted placing his hands on a woman volunteer's breasts, but has said the actionwas in jest.

"Earlier that day when we were playing Kenya, a young female streaker took our mindsbriefly off the serious side of sport," he said.

"The presence of the streaker had obviously been brought to the attention of the volunteersin the village because, as they were checking our accreditation, that incident was thebig talking point.

"There was much hilarity and banter and I was asked by one of the volunteers what thestreaker looked like.

"I jokingly said I'd show them and asked one of the volunteers to turn around. In aclumsy attempt to demonstrate the physical difference between them I held the volunteerin a compromising position with my hands against her breasts," said Davies.

"It was a foolish gesture and, while the incident was over in seconds, it will hauntme for a lifetime. I showed very poor judgment, caused great hurt and offence. I am sorryfor any embarrassment and humiliation I caused.

"I want to apologise to a number of people for the hurt and humiliation I may have caused them."

Davies added that it "pained him" to think the actions of a disabled bowler may impacton bowlers being included in future tournaments.

Davies said when he was told by New Zealand Commonwealth Games chef de mission DaveCurrie he was being sent home he was shattered.

"I was absolutely gutted," Davies said. "At the time (of the incident) there was nooffence taken. She said nothing to me and everyone was laughing."

When asked if he thought the incident had been blown out of proportion, Davies saidhe was "absolutely shocked" by the fall-out which followed.

Davies said his actions with the woman were just a "knee-jerk" reaction to the situationand her complaint "came out of the blue".

"This is not normal behaviour," he said. "It wasn't premeditated.

"She (the Games volunteer) was laughing and I was laughing. I can't remember exactlywhat was said at the time but she said something like wanting to know what the streakerlooked like."

He said the "bubbly" woman then returned to her duties of checking athletes and hehad no idea of the drama that was about to unfold.

NZPA sp

KEYWORD: GAMES DAVIES