Exclusive: Marcel Aubut yet to resign from ANOC Executive Council position despite sexual harassment scandal

Marcel Aubut is yet to resign from ANOC's Executive Council ©Getty Images

Marcel Aubut is yet to resign from his position on the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Executive Council despite being forced to relinquish his Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Presidency following an investigation into alleged sexual harassment.

The 67-year-old had previously been elected as one of three officials from the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) to serve on the ruling ANOC body at last year's General Assembly in Bangkok.

With the position linked to his National Olympic Committee post, it was widely presumed he would automatically step down as a consequence of his resignation from the COC.

ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah revealed today, however, Aubut has yet to quit.

"Until now, we haven’t received any resignation from him," the Kuwaiti told insidethegames.

"I am hearing he will resign, but I haven’t received any letter.

"Our Legal Commission is discussing the situation and they will give a report tomorrow at the Executive Committee meeting."

It will be up to PASO to elect a successor for Aubut, who has no plans to attend this ANOC General Assembly, Sheikh Ahmad added.

Marcel Aubut had served on ANOC's ruling Executive Council this year ©ANOC

Aubut had led the COC through July's Pan American Games in Toronto and had at one stage been tipped to lead a bid from the Canadian city for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics before the attempt was ultimately abandoned last month.

Soon after that decision it emerged that an investigation into alleged harassment had been opened against him by a woman involved in the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

This was ultimately withdrawn, but several more cases have since emerged within and beyond the sports world.

After initially vowing to stand down temporarily from his COC post as the first investigation ran its course, Aubut then resigned on a permanent basis.

International Rowing Federation (FISA) vice-president Tricia Smith was appointed interim President in his place.

The situation represents a remarkable downturn in fortunes for the Quebecan barely two months after he invited International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach to Montreal for a COC Excellence Day.

It has become a major scandal in his native Canada, with Aubut also stepping down from his law firm BCF law firm and taking a "time out" from professional activities.