In a press conference yesterday afternoon, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced a new $10 million agency to oversee sexual abuse among all of its governing bodies.
The USOC Board of Directors voted to spend $5.2 million over the next 5 years, which will be matched by their National Governing Bodies (NGB’s). They are also seeking $10 million to $15 million from other non-affiliated groups to supplement the program.
This adds another layer of oversight to fighting sexual abuse in sports, which until very recently has been left to each sport to self-police.
USA Swimming has been one of the lightning-rods in cases of sexual abuse in sports by coaches, culminating with CEO Chuck Wielgus withdrawing from the International Swimming Hall of Fame class of 2014.
Swimming, however, has not been the only organization rocked by sexual abuse scandal in the last several years. In 2013, a former United States Speedskating president and Olympic medalist was accused of sexually abusing an athlete.
According to the Washington Post, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun sent a letter out to “Olympic constituents” on Tuesday saying that “there is a critical need to address in sports sooner rather than later, and it is with that in mind that we will press forward.”
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I don’t understand why it will take so much money to accomplish this goal, but it’s about time!