Name suppression lifted on Olympic athlete

Olympic skier Tim Cafe has been told by a judge he should suffer the consequences of his bad behaviour just like anyone else.

Name suppression for the 22-year-old Wakatipu skier was lifted when he appeared in Queenstown District Court yesterday and admitted driving with excess blood alcohol, unlawful infiltration of a motor vehicle and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, the Southland Times reported.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Ian Collin said Cafe was walking along Frankton Rd, Queenstown, about 3.30am on May 1 last year when he got into a parked Subaru Legacy. Using his own key to start the vehicle, Cafe drove it 100m before stopping.

Two members of the public saw Cafe and followed him to a nearby street, where they watched him get into another vehicle, Mr Collin said.

Cafe later told police he mistook the first car for his own, realised his mistake, then hopped in the second car because he was looking for a place to sleep.

His lawyer Nic Soper said Cafe's actions were "alcohol-induced stupidity" but a conviction on the dishonesty charges would affect his sponsorship and ability to compete internationally.

However, Judge Dominic Flatley showed little sympathy for the skier and was dubious about his explanation.

It was not the first time a top athlete had appeared seeking a discharge and it was almost like the profession created some sort of immunity to conviction, he said.

Other people had to suffer the consequences and there was no reason Cafe should be treated differently to anyone else, he said.

Judge Flatley remanded Cafe until August 23 to complete a drug and alcohol education programme, complete 50 hours' community work and prepare a report on what he had learnt so he could decide whether a discharge without conviction on the two dishonesty charges was appropriate.

Cafe, who competed in the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February, was fined $750 and disqualified for six months on the drink-driving charge.

- NZPA