U.S. Olympic Sexual Abuse Investigation

As Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee onManufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protectionwith jurisdiction over the health and safety of amateur athletes, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)opened an investigationinto USA Gymnastics (USAG), the US Olympic Committee (USOC) and Michigan State University (MSU) on January 25, 2018. The investigation is centered around the USOC’s systemic failures to protect athletes from sexual abuse and the reported filing of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to silence a victim of abuse in relation to the Larry Nassar abuse case.Introducing theEmpowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019Clickherefor fullEmpowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019bill text,hereto read the senators’ full investigative report, findings and recommendations;herefor a one-page summary of the bill; andherefor a section-by-section summary of the bill.On July 30, 2019, Sens. Moran and Blumenthal introduced sweeping bipartisan legislation to reform the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee in response to findings of systemic abuse within the U.S. Olympic movement. Upon introduction, the senators released the followingjoint statement:“We are introducing theEmpowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Acttoday to empower and protect Olympic and amateur athletes through three key reforms. First and foremost, our legislation will implement requirements to promote a culture where athletes and their best interests are put first. Second, it will ensure greater transparency and accountability throughout the amateur sports movement, and, third, it will fortify the independence and capabilities of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the body responsible for investigating allegations of sexual abuse against athletes and coaches.”“We have been incredibly moved by the courage of the survivors of abuse who have shared their stories with us and the world,”the senators continued. “Neither this legislation nor the ongoing, necessary cultural shift within the Olympic movement could have happened without their guidance and leadership. We draw motivation from their unwavering commitment to work with us to prevent the abuse of any young athlete in the future and we thank them for putting their trust in us. We will get this bill across the finish line – for them, and for all future athletes, so that they may be able to participate in the sport they love without fear of abuse.”Hearing #4: Protecting U.S. Amateur Athletes: Examining Abuse Prevention Efforts Across the Olympic MovementOn October 3, 2018, Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal chaired the fourth hearing in their ongoing investigation, entitled "Protecting U.S. Amateur Athletes: Examining Abuse Prevention Efforts Across the Olympic Movement" to examine the processes used by the United States Olympic Committee and the National Governing Bodies for individual Olympic sports to protect our Olympic athletes from abuse. Witnesses included USA Weightlifting CEOPhil Andrews, U.S. Figure Skating PresidentAnne Cammett, USA Swimming President and CEOTim Hinchey III, USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEODarrin Steele. USA Taekwondo Executive DirectorSteve McNallyprovided written testimony and written responses to questions.Hearing #3: Strengthening and Empowering U.S. Amateur Athletes: Moving Forward with SolutionsOn July 24, 2018, Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal chaired a hearing entitled "Strengthening and Empowering U.S. Amateur Athletes: Moving Forward with Solutions" to focus on changes made by the United States Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University to protect Olympic and amateur athletes from abuse. It will examine recent reforms to provide safe environments for athletes and how these reforms are being implemented. Witnesses included Michigan State University Interim PresidentJohn Engler, U.S. Olympic Committee Acting CEOSusanne Lyons, USA Gymnastics President and CEOKerry Perryand Athletes' Advisory Council ChairmanHan Xiao.Hearing #2: Preventing Abuse in Olympic and Amateur Athletics: Ensuring a Safe and Secure Environment for Our AthletesOn June 5, 2018, Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal chaired a hearing entitled “Preventing Abuse in Olympic and Amateur Athletics: Ensuring a Safe and Secure Environment for Our Athletes,” to focus on how past processes to protect our Olympic athletes from abuse have failed to keep athlete safe and to explore current efforts to provide a safe environment for amateur athletes. Witnesses included former USA Gymnastics Women’s Program DirectorRhonda Faehn, former Michigan State University President Dr.Lou Anna Simonand former USA Gymnastics PresidentSteve Penny, who exercised his Fifth Amendment rights and was subsequently dismissed from the hearing. Written testimonies were submitted by former United States Olympic Committee PresidentScott Blackmunand Karolyi Ranch’sMartha Karolyi.Hearing #1: Olympic Abuse: The Role of National Governing Bodies in Protecting Our AthletesOn April 18, 2018, Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal convened a hearing entitled, “Olympic Abuse: The Role of National Governing Bodies in Protecting Our Athletes” to provide a forum for survivors of abuse to discuss specific concerns and challenges in preventing abuse within their respective sports. Gymnast and Olympic Gold MedalistJordyn Wieber, Gymnast and Olympic Bronze MedalistJamie Dantzscher, Speedskater and Olympic hopefulBridie Farrelland FigureskaterCraig Maurizitestified.Following the hearing, the senatorsreleased the following statement: “We are grateful to these athletes today who shared their experiences with our committee. There are systemic failings that need to be addressed, not just with admonitions but with meaningful reforms. This committee is committed to making change and determining which flaws exist in the system so that these athletes’ experiences are not replicated in anyone else’s life. We will continue to work with these athletes as our investigation progresses to make certain their testimonies are used to protect the next generation looking to achieve success representing our nation.”
In light of these serious allegations, and pursuant to the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, Sens. Moran and Blumenthal posed the following questions to USOC and requested thorough responses on February 9, 2018.
Sens. Moran and Blumenthal posed the following questions to National Governing Bodies and USOC-affiliated amateur organizations and requested thorough responses from each of these entities on or before Friday, February 16, 2018.
USA ArcheryUSA BadmintonUSA BaseballUSA BasketballNational Wheelchair Basketball AssociationUS Biathlon AsociationUSA Bobsled & Skeleton FederationUSA BocciaUS Bowling CongressUSA BoxingAmerican Canoe AssociationUSA ClimbingUSA CurlingUSA CyclingUSA DivingUS Equestrian FederationUSA FencingUSA Field HockeyUS Figure SkatingUnites States Association of Blind AthletesUSA GolfUSA HockeyUSA JudoUSA National Karate-Do FederationUSA LugeUSA PentathlonUSA PowerliftingUSA RacquetballUSA Roller SportsUS RowingUSA RugbyUSA Wheelchair RugbyUS SailingUSA ShootingUS Ski and SnowboardUS Soccer FederationUSA SoftballUS SpeedskatingUS SquashUSA SurfingUSA SwimmingUSA Synchronized SwimmingUSA Table TennisUSA TaekwondoUSA Team HandballUS Tennis AssociationUSA Track & FieldUSA TriathlonUSA VolleyballUSA Water PoloUSA Water SkiUSA WeightliftingUSA Wrestling