(ATR) An investigation into alleged sexual abuse at USA Swimming uncovers a pattern of complacency and inaction by the National Governing Body to protect its athletes.
The extensive investigative report published by the Orange County Register (click to read) details evidence obtained from years of documentation that the NGB had knowledge of or actively covered up reports of sexual abuse against young athletes.
The report suggests USA Swimming turned a blind eye to hundreds of cases of abuse by predatory coaches and even ignored warnings from its president in 2005, Ron Van Pool, who said the NGB was "frightfully behind the curve" when tackling sexual abuse cases.
Among the key findings of the investigation were documents where top USA Swimming executives acknowledged they were aware of predatory behavior by coaches but took no action for decades in some cases. USA Swimming executives also acknowledged awareness of statutory rape during U.S. national team trips to international competitions.
USA Swimming has also flagged at least 30 of its coaches after accusations or actual arrests for sexual abuse or child pornography. However, these coaches were not disciplined and some were not banned even after felony convictions.
Perhaps the most damning revelation from the report is the national federation spending $77,000 to lobby against California legislation that makes it easier for sexual abuse victims to sue their abusers and the organizations they work for.
The revelations have called into question the legacy of the national federation and its former leadership, notably former executive director Chuck Wielgus who died last year from a long battle with cancer.
The OC Register reports that despite the rousing success of USA Swimming during Wielgus’ tenure, there was no effort to correct an abusive culture that resulted in hundreds of victims.
The pattern uncovered by the investigation is eerily similar to the USA Gymnastics scandal that landed former national doctor Larry Nassar with two 100-plus-year prison sentences for his abuse of hundreds of gymnasts. The entire USA Gymnastics board of directors was forced to resign at the behest of the United States Olympic Committee for its role in allowing the abuse to occur.
An attorney in San Francisco has called for the similar resignation of the entire USA Swimming board of directors for its failure to act when presented with evidence of abuse.
"At this time I am convinced that the only way to effectively eradicate childhood sexual abuse in swimming is to, as we are seeing now with USA Gymnastics, completely ‘clean house,’ " said B. Robert Allard, an attorney who has represented several former swimmers who were abused.
"If this type of remedial action is justified in USA Gymnastics due to the abuse committed by one pedophile (Nassar), certainly it would be appropriate for USA Swimming where we have well over 100."
Both the gymnastics and swimming scandals have made their way into the agendas of certain U.S. Congress members with investigations into the abuse scandals already underway.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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