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In a shocking incident that has hit the sporting world, reputed cycling coach RK Sharma has been accused by a woman cyclist of 'inappropriate behaviour' towards her in a letter to the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Sports Tak has gained access to the official complaint to the hierarchy at SAI.
The long e-mail with over eight pointers highlights many of the inappropriate actions of the accused towards the cyclist. Given below are excerpts from the email.
Beginning of the mental harassment
"I am writing this email to officially file a written complaint against the inappropriate, unlawful and objectionable conduct of a coach of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) - Mr R.K Sharma. I was scheduled to leave for the cycling training camp in Slovenia for the date 15th May to 14th June. After all the logistical arrangements were made, to my sheer surprise and shock, three days before my scheduled travel date, I received a call from my coach Mr R.K Sharma telling me that I have to share a room at Hotel Balnea in Slovenia with him alone."
"Since I had to catch the flight to Slovenia in a couple of days, I was left with almost no time to process the information provided to me by the coach. In my state of extreme confusion and anxiousness about losing the opportunity to train abroad and attend the camp, I thought I would reach Slovenia and try to request alternate arrangements. After arriving at the hotel in Slovenia on May 16, I again tried to request a separate room."
"In response to this, Mr RK Sharma spoke to me in a rude and dismissive manner and said that if this was my demand I should have not come for the camp and stayed back in India. Subsequently, my request for a separate/different room was not paid heed to. I had no option but to be in the coach’s room, which was also originally designated for me. This is also shown in the hotel records..."
Cutting her out of an event in Germany
"On May 25, I was to travel with the boys team to Germany for the cycling event – Grosser Preis Von Deutschland IM Sprint – 12 GP Keirin. But, the coach did not take me along and made the excuse that there was no spare room. He mentioned that since I was uncomfortable sharing the room with him, it would be better if I stayed in Slovenia. However, the worst was yet to come.
Forcing himself into her room
"On May 29, the coach returned from Germany early in the morning at approximately 7 am. I heard a knock on my door. Upon opening the door, I found, much to my horror, the coach physically forcing himself into my room. He then proceeded to lay on the bed. When I requested him to leave, he forcefully tried pulling me towards him and asked me to come and sleep with him. In addition, he made comments such as - I should behave like his wife as he is extremely fond of me and wants me to be his wife. This incident spiralled me into a state of shock and panic."
"At this point, I was extremely scared for my safety, well-being, and life. I constantly requested him and pleaded with him to leave my room and made the excuse that I was getting late for training and had to get ready. After a few hours, I somehow managed to gather myself and my emotions and reported this incident to the sports psychologist."
"When I was about to leave Slovenia on June 3, coach RK Sharma not only continued to harass and threaten to end my career, he went to the extent of contacting my family and asked them to take me back home and get me married as I had no future in cycling.
"RK Sharma has destroyed me mentally and emotionally, which is now impacting my sporting performance. It is my most humble request to you to take the strictest possible action against R.K Sharma and not just ensure my safety but also the safety of all others around me, especially female athletes."
Following this debilitating news, the CFI has decided to call the entire Indian cycling contingent back from Slovenia. The Indian endurance contingent, consisting of five male and a female, flew to Slovenia on May 15 and was scheduled to return on June 14.
