Ties to neo-Nazi group prompt German rower to leave London Olympics

(CBS/AP) Here's an unofficial tally of reasons Olympic athletes and coaches have been sent packing from the 2012 London Games: racist tweets, doping, drunk driving, booze-fueled rampages, and throwingbadminton matches.

Now we can add a new one to the list: ties to a neo-Nazi group.

German Olympic officials said Friday that a rower had left the Olympics after a broadcaster reported that her boyfriend is a supporter of an extreme right-wing party in Germany.

Nadja Drygalla, a member of the women's eight crew, planned to leave the Olympic village to avoid any "burden for the Olympic team," said Michael Vesper, general director of the national Olympic association.

According to Yahoo Sports, "Drygalla's boyfriend is reportedly a leader of the Rostock National Socialists, a group German intelligence describes as neo-Nazi and racist."

Vesper said he and German rowing officials met with Drygalla, who "stressed credibly" she is "committed to the values of the Olympic charter."

International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said he did not think it was an issue for the IOC "because she hasn't said or done anything related to the games."

Drygalla was done competing at the games after the women's eight team failed to make Thursday's final.

Drygalla is a former police trainee. The state interior ministry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania said it learned last year that her acquaintances included people who belong to the far-right scene.

A ministry statement said that "intensive talks" were held with Drygalla and she resigned from the force last September.

According to German broadcaster DW, photos of Drygalla with right-wing extremists have been circulated on the Internet.