Congress Gives U.S. Olympics a Much-Needed Facelift to Fix the Culture of Sexual Abuse

The United States Congress has taken matters into their own hands when it comes to fixing the sexual abuse in Olympic sports. A 235-page report, created by U.S. senators Richard Blumenthal and Jerry Moran, sums up an 18-month long investigation pertaining to sexual abuse in sports. It shows different crimes that former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar committed.

Related Story: Former US Gymnastics President Arrested for Covering up Larry Nassar’s Sexual Assaults

The two senators plan to release a bill that would force the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committees to pay $20 million a year to the U.S. Center for Safesport, an organization that is set up to stop and prevent sexual abuse of young athletes.

After two years of operation, the US.. Center has brought on a new CEO, Ju’Riese Colon, who has a background in children’s safety issues. Outsiders say the previous leaders have lacked this experience.

Additionally, Congress now has the power to dissolve the USOPC board, and lawmakers can terminate national governing bodies, including USA Gymnastics. This move comes after the USOPC mishandling of the Nassar case, which left dozens of young athletes abused.

A group of athletes who serve on The Committee to Restore Integrity to the USOC claim the Senators did not include several of their recommendations. They also fear the money to pay Safesport will come out of their paycheck.

In a statement, the Committee to Restore Integrity to the USOC said they do not think this bill goes far enough because it does not address “the fear of retaliation and a lack of power balance between the elite athletes and the USOPC.”

The biggest expense within Olympic sports is the training facilities and supporting the governing bodies, which cost nearly around $28.9 million in 2018.

Every Olympian has gone through a training center at some point throughout their career, and the results from various surveys showed the athletes agree the primary benefit they receive is from the training facilities provided to them.

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