U.S. Group Fires Skeleton Coach

In the latest turn in a melodrama gripping one of the United States’ Olympic winter sports federations, the national governing body for bobsled and skeleton has fired U.S. skeleton coach Tim Nardiello, contending he ignored orders to keep his distance during final Olympic tuneups.

The U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation sent the letter of dismissal by e-mail Friday to Nardiello. He was in St. Moritz, Switzerland, one of the world’s classic bases for sliding sports, where the four U.S. racers are training. The 2006 Games begin Friday; the women’s skeleton event is scheduled for Feb. 16, the men’s Feb. 17.

Nardiello told the Associated Press on Saturday, “I’m very disappointed.”

Nardiello had been suspended Dec. 31 by the federation amid allegations he had sexually harassed U.S. racers. He has denied wrongdoing, and an arbitrator ruled Jan. 23 there was no evidence to substantiate those claims.

Each of the four U.S. skeleton racers on the 2006 Olympic team -- Zach Lund, Kevin Ellis, Eric Bernotas and Katie Uhlaender -- has said he or she wants Nardiello as coach. The sport involves sliding headfirst, on a sled, down the icy course used for bobsled and luge; racers can reach speeds of 70 mph.

The day after the arbitration ruling, meanwhile, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced it would not be granting Nardiello a credential for the Games. The USOC, which conducted its own inquiry, said Nardiello had violated ethics codes, adding it had “serious concerns” about “inappropriate actions” on his part, including a “failure to exercise appropriate judgment.”

Nardiello is involved in a relationship with a female skeleton athlete who competed this last World Cup season for New Zealand.

After being reinstated following the arbitration ruling in his favor, Nardiello sought to join the U.S. team in Europe. The federation said no. Nardiello went anyway. The federation then fired him, alleging insubordination.

USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel declined here Saturday to comment on the dismissal, saying it was an internal matter between the federation and Nardiello.

Lund’s status for the Games, meanwhile, is now in doubt. He tested positive for a banned substance found in a hair-replacement product -- finasteride, which can be used to mask steroid use.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Jan. 23 issued Lund a warning but did not suspend him. The World Anti-Doping Agency has since lodged an appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. A decision is expected by Friday’s opening ceremony.