Teenage snowsports athletes at the centre of a binge-drinking session at a Wanaka backpackers, which left a 13-year-old in an alcohol-induced coma, are to face disciplinary action from Snowsports New Zealand officials.
However, Snowsports NZ chief executive Ross Palmer ruled out any suggestions the five teenagers, aged between 13 and 16, would be stopped from representing New Zealand at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
A meeting was held in Wanaka last night with several parents of the 33 snowsports athletes who attended a junior winter high performance camp at Base Backpackers earlier this month.
Mr Palmer said he was also scheduling a meeting this week with other high-ranking snowsports officials to discuss disciplinary action against the five youngsters.
The group is alleged to have stolen 24 bottles of spirits from a supply room at the Mint Bar, which is attached to Base Backpackers, and engaged in a binge-drinking session.
A 13-year-old Wanaka boy was found in an alcoholic coma, after he drank a 700ml bottle of 35% proof Jagermeister - the equivalent of 19 standard drinks - in about 30 minutes.
The boy, a talented snowboarder being considered for the 2014 Winter Olympics squad, was taken to Dunedin Hospital in a helicopter.
The disciplinary actions against the group would vary given the different levels of culpability of those involved, Mr Palmer said.
He declined to comment on what kind of disciplinary action would be taken against the five.
The Otago Daily Times understands the 13-year-old boy was subjected to a peer-pressure drinking game in the incident.
The parents of the alleged 15-year-old ringleader of the incident were unlikely to be able to attend the meeting last night, Mr Palmer said.
The meetings with parents and Winter High Performance programme officials were part of a review Snowsports NZ was conducting into the incident, he said.
"In hindsight, it was not a good idea to hold a junior camp there," Mr Palmer said of the Base Backpackers venue and its proximity to licensed premises.
He had not viewed security video footage from the backpackers, but had been told about its "disappointing" content by Wanaka police.
The ODT understands the video footage shows members of the group kicking the 13-year-old once he fell into a coma, subsequent to the binge-drinking session.
Wanaka police have refused to comment on the security footage, but have confirmed an assault investigation into the incident took place.
Constable Greg Nolet said the youths have been referred to youth aid and because of their age they would not face charges.
