Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Fencer accused of sexual misconduct, kept apart from team

Amid allegations of sexual assault, US fencer Alen Hadzic has been facing restrictions and has been kept apart from his teammates at the Olympic Village at Tokyo 2020.

Hadzic had received a temporary suspension from the US Center for SafeSport in June after three women had accused him of sexual misconduct between 2013 and 2015. 

According to his lawyer, the 29-year-old had to fly separately and was not even permitted to stay in the Olympic Village, and has been residing at a remote hotel. 

This precaution was taken for the safety and well-being of other American fencers who had expressed concerns about Hadzic's presence, according to the U.S.A. Fencing.

USA Fencing, however, maintained that “team athletes have expressed concerns for their safety and well-being arising from (Hadzic's) presence.” 

The fencer had requested the restrictions to be lifted prior to Friday's Opening Ceremony. 

As for Hadzic, he has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. "Frankly, they're untruths," Hadzic told USA Today. "They're just frankly not true." 

Hadzic, a New Jersey native, had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics on May 7. It will be his Olympic debut after he narrowly missed qualifying for the 2016 Games in Rio. He will compete in Tokyo as a replacement in the individual or team épée competition if a teammate gets hurt or becomes ill.

His lawyer, Michael Palma, who is based in Florida said, “The allegations are serious and the fact is, they’re not true," New York Times reported.

Hadzic's accusers, meanwhile, feel he is unjustly being given a chance to compete and represent the USA in fencing's premier global showcase.