(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – USA Boxing and light flyweight Luis Yanez (Duncanville, Texas) have reached a settlement allowing Yanez to return to the United States Olympic Boxing Team. The agreement was reached following a unanimous decision by USA Boxing’s Judicial Committee to uphold his dismissal from the United States Olympic Team..
“I want to thank USA Boxing for its understanding and sense of forgiveness. I sincerely apologize to Head Coach Campbell, to my teammates, and to USA Boxing for not only breaking the rules of the Athlete Code of Conduct, but also for my lack of candor regarding the circumstances of my absence from the Resident Program,” Yanez stated. “Coach Campbell and USA Boxing gave me every opportunity to return to the Program so that I could compete in Beijing, and I was irresponsible in ignoring their flexibility, and not forthcoming with them throughout my absence.”
In return for his reinstatement to the Olympic Team, Yanez has agreed to a financial penalty for his absence, sports counseling sessions with United States Olympic Committee sports psychologists and a public apology for his actions with the coaching staff, and his teammates. In addition, he will apologize in person to his teammates upon his return to the Olympic Training Center and has agreed to make no further public remarks regarding the case so that he can focus fully on the upcoming Olympic Games.
“Luis is a young man who has recognized and admitted poor judgment about his actions over the past month, and has apologized to his teammates and coaches,” commented USA Boxing CEO, Jim Millman. “This agreement will let him return in-time to participate in the final Team camp in Colorado Springs, and in the pre-Olympic Training sessions in Beijing. We’re pleased that Luis will have a chance to pursue his Olympic dreams in Beijing.”
“We are pleased this situation has been resolved to the satisfaction of all involved without requiring further arbitration,” United States Olympic Committee Director of Sports Partnerships Jay Warwick said.
Yanez will return to the Olympic Training Center on Wednesday to resume training with his Olympic teammates before departing for Team Processing in San Jose on Monday, July 21. The 9 man United States Olympic Boxing Team is currently finishing its Colorado Springs training camp and will travel from San Francisco to Beijing on July 22. They will finish their Olympic preparations with a two-week training camp at Beijing Normal University before opening competition on August 9.