The U.S. Center for Safesport fired CEO Ju’Riese Colón earlier this week as the organization deals with controversy.
Colón led the U.S. Congress-created organization starting in 2019. SafeSport has jurisdiction to review reports of abuse and sexual misconduct within U.S. Olympic or Paralympic organizations.
Since the organization’s 2017 start date, it has consistently been subject to a variety of criticisms. Many believe investigations take too long and that the organization doesn’t adequately protect abuse victims. Some even question whether its true priority is protecting athletes or shielding the U.S Olympic and Paralympic Committee, its primary source of funding.
“If you’re SafeSport, and you’re funded by the organization you’re investigating, they’re likely not going to do the right thing,” said Aly Raisman to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in 2021. “It’s a complete mess, and the priority doesn’t seem to be the safety and well-being of athletes.” Raisman, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics, was a victim in the high-profile Larry Nassar case.
Criticisms reached a new level in late 2024 when SafeSport investigator Jason Krasley was arrested on rape and other sexual assault charges. Krasley’s alleged crimes took place before SafeSport hired him as an investigator. Earlier this month, Senator Chuck Grassley revealed that the organization knew he was the subject under an internal investigation at his previous job when they hired him.
Colón held a news conference in January following Krasley’s and the consequential backlash. At the conference, she announced that she would personally interview every new investigator candidate. She also said the organization would establish a complaint system against investigators.
Following Colón’s departure, SafeSport board chair April Holmes stepped in as interim CEO.
“We are grateful for Ju’Riese’s leadership and service,” Holmes said in a statement. “As we look ahead, we will continue to focus on the Center’s core mission of changing sport culture to keep athletes safe from abuse.”
The long-running dysfunction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport is one of the worst chapters in the attempt to protect athletes from the predations of those whom they should be able to trust.