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USA Swimming Olympians now compete in a much safer environment thanks to 15 years of increased awareness and efforts to prevent sexual abuse and a commitment to change a culture that valued medals over athlete safety.
Fifteen years ago, the arrest of swim coach Andy King for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl he coached in San Jose marked a turning point. The survivor, represented by attorney Robert Allard of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, catalyzed a movement that has significantly improved safety in USA Swimming.
“USA Swimming and Olympic sports would not be safer without the courage of Jane Doe coming forward in 2010 and publicly sharing her story with the national news media,” Allard says. ” This revelation prompted other athletes to speak out, leading to the imprisonment of top coaches and a comprehensive overhaul of USA Swimming.”
Some of the biggest names in the sport were outed for sexually abusing minors or for covering up for sexually abusive coaches. The list includes coaches such as former Olympic coach Rick Curl, who went to prison, former USA Swimming National Team Director Everett Uchiyama, who resigned, and former USA Swimming CEO Chuck Wielgus, who was denied entry into the Hall of Fame.
Allard credits Olympians like Deena Deardurff, Nancy Hogshead, and Ariana Smith (Kukors) for their crucial role in changing USA Swimming’s culture. “The real heroes are the outspoken Olympians, courageous journalists, and athletes who shared their stories,” he adds.
Nancy Hogshead, Olympian and J.D., commends Allard’s legal efforts: “Attorney Bob Allard has been responsible for court-room accountability for athlete sexual abuse inside the Olympic Movement over the past decade, changing case law and supporting crucial legislation.”
Today, athletes benefit from mandatory coach background checks, a ban on coach-athlete romantic relationships, the independent SafeSport entity, and a public list of banned coaches and officials that has grown from 36 in 2010 to, currently, over 200.
“These efforts protect our Olympic hopefuls,” Allard concludes. “They allow athletes, including those competing in Paris, to focus entirely on their Olympic dreams without fear of predatory behavior.”
