OTTAWA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Speed Skating Canada has fired national long-track speed skating team head coach Michael Crowe, Speed Skating Canada said in a statement on Friday.

Michael Crowe went on a leave of absence a month before the Pyeongchang Olympics while the organization conducted an internal investigation. He did not accompany the Canadian team to South Korea. The 64-year-old Crowe joined the Canadian team in 2007 and became head coach in 2015.

Speed Skating Canada didn't specify the nature of its investigation. Former American speedskaters claimed last January that Crowe had sexual relationships with some skaters while a U.S. coach.

Crowe was American coach from 1983 to 1991 and again from 1999 to 2006 before joining the Canadian team.

"Following a review of the investigation completed in mid-March, Speed Skating Canada has made the decision to part ways with Mr. Crowe," Speed Skating Canada said in the statement.

"Given confidentiality obligations, no further details will be provided on this matter." said the statement.