The US Olympic & Paralympic Committee positioned an worker on administrative go away Thursday after The Related Press reported that one among its coaches was accused of sexually abusing a younger biathlete, inflicting her a lot misery that she tried suicide.
Rocky Harris, USOPC chief of sport and athlete companies, despatched an e-mail to US Biathlon nationwide crew members to deal with the “concerning allegations of abuse” raised by a number of biathletes within the AP report.
“We want to commend these athletes for their immense courage and strength in coming forward,” the e-mail mentioned.
“Effective immediately, we have placed a USOPC staff member on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.”
Harris didn’t identify the worker, however Gary Colliander was the one USOPC coach named within the AP report.
Jon Mason, a USOPC spokesperson, advised the AP that no extra data can be launched whereas the inquiry is underway.
“While we are currently in the process of gathering all the necessary information surrounding these complaints, we want to emphasize that abuse and misconduct have no place in our community,” mentioned the e-mail, additionally despatched to the AP.
Grace Boutot advised the AP that after Colliander started teaching her when she was 15, he gave her lots of consideration, together with lengthy hugs and inappropriate touching.
The conduct escalated after she turned 18 to “kissing, sexual fondling and oral sex,” based on a therapy abstract by therapist Jacqueline Pauli-Ritz, shared with the AP.
The AP typically doesn’t establish victims of sexual abuse besides in circumstances the place they publicly establish themselves or share their tales brazenly.
Boutot mentioned she begged Colliander to cease however he ignored her.
She mentioned he warned her in opposition to telling anybody, saying his life can be ruined and her biathlon profession would finish.
In September 2010, Pauli-Ritz contacted Colliander and advised him Boutot was affected by main melancholy and post-traumatic stress dysfunction and he ought to cease teaching her, the therapy abstract mentioned.
“He did not do this until after the suicide attempt,” Pauli-Ritz wrote, referring to Boutot’s Oct. 7, 2010, overdose on antidepressants whereas at a coaching camp in Soldier Hole, Utah.
She was discovered by a teammate and hospitalized.
The following day, Colliander resigned his place with the Maine Winter Sports activities Middle.
He was employed in December 2016 by the US Paralympic crew, the place he’s affiliate director of excessive efficiency for US Paralympics Nordic Snowboarding.
Colliander didn’t instantly reply to e-mail and cellphone messages in search of remark.
Boutot, 33, mentioned she’s glad the US Olympic committee is taking motion, however is “incredibility disappointed” that US Biathlon has didn’t do the identical.
“The true origin of the misogynistic culture lies with US Biathlon,” she mentioned. “The silence is stunning, to be honest.”
US Biathlon CEO Jack Gierhart despatched an e-mail to the AP and US Biathlon members late Thursday saying the allegations within the AP report have been troubling.
“We are deeply concerned about the experiences of the athletes mentioned. To all of you, I want to reaffirm our commitment to athlete safety,” it mentioned.
Boutot was amongst a half-dozen Olympians and different biathletes who got here ahead after the AP reported earlier this 12 months that Olympian Joanne Reid was sexually abused and harassed for years, based on findings by the US Middle for SafeSport, created to analyze sex-abuse allegations in Olympic sports activities within the aftermath of the Larry Nassar US Gymnastics scandal.
They described a tradition of abuse relationship again to the Nineteen Nineties, and mentioned that whereas the boys concerned climbed the ranks of the game, they confronted retaliation that compelled them to finish their racing careers early.
In case you are battling suicidal ideas or are experiencing a psychological well being disaster and reside in New York Metropolis, you possibly can name 1-888-NYC-WELL without spending a dime and confidential disaster counseling. For those who reside outdoors the 5 boroughs, you possibly can dial the 24/7 Nationwide Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
