Colorado Country Club Alleges Coverup In Uchiyama Case

In the recently released list of 46 coaches who have been permanently banned or have permanently resigned from USA-Swimming, there was one name that was singled out as being specially high-profile: Everett Uchiyama. Uchiyama is the former USA National Team Director from 2002-2006. In 2006, he resigned from that position amid allegations of sexual misconduct, and 4 days later he received a permanent ban from USA-Swimming.

Shortly after that ban, Uchiyama took over the position of Aquatics Director at the Country Club of Colorado, which is not far from where he worked with USA-Swimming.

Now, after his name has been publicized in connection with the scandal that is thrashing USA-Swimming, he has been let go by that club, although the USA-Swimming ban does not technically apply to his position. The twist in the case, as reported by OCVarsity.com, is that USA-Swimming is now investigating the claim by the club that it received a recommendation for Uchiyama from the national governing body, even after they served him a lifetime ban.

The allegations against Uchiyama were made by a former swimmer in 2006. The woman, who is now in her mid-30’s, claimed in an email to USA-Swimming (3-days before his resignation) that the alleged abuses began when she was only 14 years old. Although the woman’s identity has been kept a secret throughout the issue, this puts the time frame at roughly the late 80’s or early 90’s, when Uchiyama was at Southern California Aquatics.

The victim has come out since the release of the list and been anonymously vocal about the need to publicize the case and prevent any of the perpetrators, including Uchiyama, from being put in any position where they could repeat their ill-deeds. The alleged abuse was never tried in court because the victim claims to have been told by two separate police departments that the statute of limitations had passed.

If it proves that USA-Swimming did actually recommend Uchiyama, the shouting about backroom coverups in the case could become significantly louder.

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About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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