After speaking some harsh words last week, Australian track sprinter Jobie Dajka has received a three-year suspension by a Cycling Australia disciplinary tribunal, after receiving submissions from both Cycling Australia and Dajka's representatives over the past six days after the hearing. The disciplinary tribunal determined that Dajka had assaulted Cycling Australia Head Track Coach, Martin Barras last week at the High Performance Program offices in Adelaide. The suspension takes effect from today, June 16, 2005.
In a joint statement, Cycling Australia and Kerry Ruffels, Jobie Dajka's adviser, said that "the Tribunal took into account medical evidence relating to Dajka's state of mental health and as a result of this have determined that he may apply to have the penalty suspended and reapply for his licence after one year pending several conditions.
"Those conditions are that he seek immediate treatment on such terms as his medical practitioners prescribe and that such treatment include a course in anger management. At the end of such treatment a report is to be provided to Cycling Australia by medical practitioners of the treatment or programs undertaken by Dajka certifying his rehabilitation has been satisfactorily completed and that his return to the sport will not endanger the safety of coaches, officials or team members."
Furthermore, "Dajka will also be required to undertake 80 hours of community service for the sport of cycling speaking about his experiences, the difficulties he has faced and the lessons he has learned. This community work must be completed prior to the penalty being suspended. If the last two years of his penalty are suspended Mr Dajka will be subject to it's immediate reinforcement if he infringes any of the By-Laws or Code of Conduct of Cycling Australia.
Jobie Dajka's adviser, Kerry Ruffels, is pleased with the decision. "It allows Jobie to regain full health both physically and mentally whilst at the same time allowing him the opportunity to fulfil his dream of representing Australia again," he said in the statement. "I have spoken to Jobie and advised him of the outcome and Jobie made an immediate and strong commitment to fulfil the requirements as laid down by the tribunal. He accepts that his actions were totally inappropriate and that statements he made in the wake of last week's hearing were wrong and irrational. Jobie apologises for any damage he has inflicted on his fellow cyclists and the sport."
