By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE case of Geelong weightlifter Daniel Koum appears headed for an international Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Mr Koum was alleged to have blackmailed weightlifting team officials during a pre-Olympic international qualifying event last year.
Mr Koum’s lawyer, Martin Reid, of Coulter Roache, said his client had offered to take the dispute to CAS.
“They had a star chamber of compromised people adjudicating over him and made certain findings against him,” he said.
“We’re happy to go to CAS but the VWA (Victorian Weightlifing Association) has said the decisions against him will stand, which is ridiculous.”
Mr Reid said he would seek further legal advice before replying to the WVA.
Officials alleged Mr Koum demanded to be paid $5000 or he would refuse to compete during the Oceania weightlifting championships in Samoa in June.
The 28-year-old, formerly of Cameroon, trains with Geelong Weightlifting Club and competed as an Australian at the Delhi games in 2010.
The independent Court of Arbitration for Sport has international jurisdiction over Olympic sports.
VWA president Kevin White confirmed the association now wanted the matter to be referred to CAS.
“This matter has dragged on and it’s been stressful, but we are awaiting a reply from Daniel’s legal advisors,” Mr White said.
“We were looking at this matter and board decided we would take some action against Daniel and advised him accordingly.
“But in the interests of natural justice we had to give him an opportunity to give his side.”
Mr Koum has firmly denied any suggestion of impropriety.
He said in a statement last year the allegations had shocked and deeply offended him.
Mr Koum said he had received no official notification of an investigation and had not been officially asked about the allegations.
He said he was willing to participate in any investigation being conducted.
“Should any allegations of impropriety ever be formally brought against me they will be met with unyielding and relentless opposition by me and my lawyers.”
Koum said he would continue to focus on his weightlifting.
He was not selected for the London Olympic Games.
