Hungarian swimmer Tamas Kenderesi has apologised for “thoughtlessly touching” a nightclub dancer after being arrested on sexual harassment charges during the world championships.
The 22-year-old Olympic bronze medallist has been banned from leaving the country while police investigate the incident at a bar in Gwangju, around 330km south of Seoul, at the weekend.
Kenderesi has admitted making contact with his accuser but denies charges of sexual harassment.
“After coming back from the toilets and heading towards the dance floor, I touched the backside of a Korean girl who was working as a dancer at the club,” the swimmer said in a statement.
“I did not even stop behind her -Â I took only a single, perhaps thoughtless move, which seriously angered this girl who filed a complaint against me.
“Realising the seriousness of the situation, I was absolutely cooperative throughout the entire process,” added Kenderesi, who finished last in the men’s 200m butterfly final last week.
“I deeply regret what happened and I wish to beg for the Korean girl’s forgiveness. But I strongly deny that I’m guilty in any kind of sexual harassment.”
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