U.S. speedskater Simon Cho tampered with rival's skate, blames coach

U.S. Olympian Simon Cho tampered with a rival's skate. (Robert Michael/AFP/Getty Images) U.S. Olympic speedskater Simon Cho admitted to tampering with a

U.S. Olympian Simon Cho tampered with a rival's skate. (Robert Michael/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. Olympic speedskater Simon Cho admitted to tampering with a Canadian rival's skates, while claiming he was under pressure from his coach, according to the Associated Press.

"I am deeply embarrassed and sad to confirm certain allegations that have been made in the arbitration demand brought by a group of my fellow speedskaters against U.S. Speedskating and the coaches," Cho said in a statement issued by his attorney Friday morning.

Cho's comments confirmed one allegation made in the arbitration demand that seeks to permanently remove U.S. coach Jae Su Chun. Chun has denied any wrongdoing but is suspended.

A U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman emailed the AP calling the conduct "repugnant and antithetical to the values of the Olympic movement and inconsistent with Team USA's commitment to fair play."

U.S. Speedskating is expected to respond to the findings of an independent investigation of Chun later today at a scheduled press conference.

Cho's admission comes after a dozen skaters accused Chun of abuse:

The skaters also alleged that he ordered Cho to tamper with Canadian Olivier Jean’s skates, and Cho all but admitted the act last weekend at the U.S. Short-Track Championships at the Utah Olympic Oval.

hired an attorney