Fourteen current and five former speed skaters on Aug. 30 “filed a grievance against U.S. Speedskating” accusing coach JAE SU CHUN and two of his assistants "of verbal, physical and psychological abuse,” according to Amy Donaldson of the DESERET NEWS. Chun “issued a statement defending himself and his fellow coaches,” but hours later, the U.S. Speedskating BOD “voted to place him on administrative leave pending the outcome” of an investigation of the allegations by the law firm of White and Case (DESERET NEWS, 9/18). The athletes' attorney EDWARD G. WILLIAMS said, "They will end their careers rather than skate under these coaches." USA TODAY's Erik Brady notes Chun is accused of "slamming an athlete into a wall" and calling one female athlete a "fat cow" (USA TODAY, 9/18). The AP's Paul Newberry reported the USOC is “also looking into the matter, which comes less than 18 months before the next Winter Games” in Sochi and “threatens to disrupt a program that has long produced a steady stream of medals for the Americans despite persistent financial problems” (AP, 9/17).
SWIMMING COACH ACCUSED: A lawsuit alleges former U.S. Olympic swimming coach MARK SCHUBERT, while U.S. national team director and later at Golden West Swim Club, “repeatedly ignored and dismissed complaints of inappropriate behavior toward young female swimmers" by longtime Orange County swim coach BILL JEWELL. USA Swimming officials said that there would be “further response to the allegations” today (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 9/18).
