U.S. skeleton coach suspended

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation suspended Olympic skeleton coach Tim Nardiello Saturday over sexual harassment accusations.

The federation place Nardiello on administrative leave pending an investigation into accusations by team members that he made sexual advances toward them, had made sexually explicit comments and had barged into hotel rooms while women were undressing, the New York Times reported.

The federation had initially decided to allow Nardiello to coach the U.S. team through the upcoming Winter Olympics, but officials changed their minds about that after two women skeleton athletes and a fellow coach went public with their accusations Friday.

Felicia Canfield and Tristan Gale -- the 2002 Olympic gold medalist -- said that Nardiello had engaged in harassing behavior since he was hired in 2002.

Nardiello, 45, has denied the accusations.

Federation officials said a three-member grievance committee will investigate, beginning with interviews of the athletes as early as Sunday.