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Canadian Olympic Athlete, Wife, Coach Accused of Taking Car While Drunk in South Korea

"We are deeply sorry," David Duncan says

Canadian ski cross competitor David Duncan, his wife and a coach were detained and later released after allegedly stealing a car while intoxicated during the Pyeongchang Olympics.

Police in South Korea on Saturday said the three allegedly got into a car in front of a bar and drove it near the Pyeongchang athletes village before they were stopped by police on patrol in the early hours of the morning. Media reports said the car had been idling before it was snatched. 

All three were intoxicated when they were stopped, the police said. Police initially described those who were detained as two Canadian men, 35 and 48, and a 32-year-old American woman.

But a statement from Canada's Olympic team subsequently identified the trio as Olympian David Duncan, his wife Maja, and William Ryan Raine, the team's ski cross high performance director. Each apologized in the statement. 

"We are deeply sorry. We engaged in behaviour that demonstrated poor judgement and was not up to the standards expected of us as Members of the Canadian Olympic Team or as Canadians," the statement from David and Maja Duncan said.

Raine called his actions "inexcusable."

"Words are not enough to express how sorry I am," he said. "I have let my teammates, friends and my family down. I would also like to apologize to the owner of the vehicle that was involved." 

South Korea's police have concluded their investigation and released the team members, Chris Overholt, CEO and secretary general of the Canadian Olympic Committee, said.

"We expect our athletes and team members to conduct themselves responsibly and in keeping with our Canadian and Olympic values," Overholt said. "We are deeply disappointed in the behaviours of these individuals. All team members are expected to respect the laws of South Korea and all places we compete in around the world."

Police had earlier said that the three had been in custody in Gangneung and been banned from leaving South Korea. It was likely the group would be released upon payment of a fine, police said. 

Duncan competed Wednesday and placed 8th. He later said on Instagram, "So this is what an Olympics is supposed to feel like. A solid 8th place here ... My best skiing of the season and an effort I'm proud of."

Ski cross mixes natural terrain with man-made features including big-air jumps and high-banked turns. Multiple skiers race down the course at once.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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