Olympic champion Lim gets one-year ban for pulling down team-mate's trousers

Olympic gold medallist Lim Hyo-jun has been banned for a year by the Korea Skating Union (KSU) after he pulled down a male colleague's trousers in front of female team-mates.

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, the KSU announced it had suspended Lim, who claimed the gold medal in the 1,500 metres short track speed skating at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, for sexual harassment.

The decision rules the 23-year-old, who also won a bronze medal at Pyeongchang 2018, out of the sport until August 7 next year.

It follows an investigation launched by the KSU after the incident at the Jincheon National Training Center was reported to a coach.

The KSU, which banned the entire short track team from the facility following the incident, had delayed its verdict in the case to gather more evidence.

The national governing body spoke to Lim and the other athlete, who has not been named.

Lim Hyo-jun won the men's 1,500m short track event at Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images

It also studied CCTV footage before determining a punishment against the six-time World Championships gold medallist.

The incident marks the latest scandal in South Korean skating, which has become embroiled in controversy with the most serious case involving Cho Jae-beom, the former national team coach who was convicted of physically assaulting Olympic gold medallist Shim Suk-hee.

He is due to stand trial on separate charges of sexual assault with the case leading to a wider probe across sport in the country.

Another case saw Kim Gun-woo handed a one-month ban after entering the women's dormitory at Jincheon.

Kim Ye-jin, who gave him access, received a reprimand and 10 hours of community service.