The President of the Canadian Olympic Committee resigned on Saturday following allegations of sexual harassment against him.
"In recent days, allegations of harassment have been directed toward me by people who accuse me of intentions that I never had," Marcel Aubut said in a statement..
"Although I assume full responsibility for my effusive and demonstrative personality, I would like to reiterate that I never intended to offend or upset anyone with my remarks or my behaviour."
Aubut said the allegations against him had become "a major distraction that obscures the COC s real goals, especially with the Rio Games fast approaching."
The Canadian Olympic Committee said in a statement it had accepted Aubut s decision to stand down. "The Canadian Olympic Committee is announcing it has accepted Mr. Marcel Aubut s resignation as President," the COC said in a statement, adding that the investigation against Aubut would now be closed.
"In light of his resignation and based on the wishes of the complainant, the specific investigation we announced under Mr. Justice Francois Rolland, will cease." The COC had hired Rolland, the former chief justice of the Quebec Superior Court, to investigate claims made a week ago that Aubut had sexually harassed a former colleague.
Aubut, 67, has been in charge of the Canadian Olympic Committee since April 2010. He had been a staunch advocate of Toronto s bid for the 2024 Games before the city withdrew as a candidate.
