Lyons (l) acknowledged that the organization has authority to set further requirements on the NGBsgetty images
USOC acting CEO Susanne Lyons yesterday acknowledged the NGB had "not exercised its authority enough to enforce policies and procedures to prevent sexual abuse," according to Rachel Axon of USA TODAY. Over nearly three hours, representatives from the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations "pressed Lyons and the heads of the national governing bodies for gymnastics, swimming, taekwondo and volleyball on the Olympic movement’s failure to prevent abuse." It also "focused on the U.S. Center for SafeSport, a year-old entity set up by the USOC, and its ability to address misconduct with limited resources." U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said, "It’s clear that the systems designed to protect athletes from abusers failed." Lyons said, "The athletes deserve to have everyone believe the work that they do and what the Olympics stands for should be held in the highest esteem, and we let them down." Axon notes it was the "fourth Congressional hearing on the topic in the past 14 months." The USOC has previously "taken the position that it has limited authority over the NGBs." Lyons yesterday acknowledged that the organization "has authority under the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act to set further requirements on the NGBs" (USA TODAY, 5/24). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Bachman & Radnofsky note except for "pointed questioning from a few subcommittee members, the hearing had a subdued tone that contrasted with the anger of many abuse survivors and much of the public about years of unchecked abuse" by Larry Nassar and others (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/24).
SAYING IT LIKE IT IS: During the hearing, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) shouted at Lyons, "You are not fit to serve in this job!" Asked by U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) if the USOC's top priority is to keep athletes safe, Lyons answered, “It is a top priority.” Harper responded, “We’re all worried that it hasn’t always been the case.” U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said, "There appears to be a history of the USOC knowing about allegations of sexual abuse and doing nothing." Carter said to Lyons, "You should resign the position now" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/24). Dingell: "I just hope everyone here realizes the time to talk is over, and you need to walk your talk" (AP, 5/23).
NOT GOOD ENOUGH: USA TODAY's Axon notes yesterday was USAG CEO Kerry Perry's first public comments since taking over the NGB in December, and many "hoped it would provide a day of reckoning" for its role in addressing sexual abuse by Nassar and other coaches who "harmed athletes." Or "at least some explanations." But Perry "offered neither." She "redirected the few questions she received on USA Gymnastics’ past actions to what she had done to move the national governing body forward." Repeatedly, she "expressed shock at the abuse hundreds suffered from Nassar’s assaults." Over and over again, she said that it "fueled her work going forward, that she wakes up every day with the focus of protecting athletes." However, when questioned about how this happened, Perry said that she "could not answer" (USA TODAY, 5/24). USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes it is "well understood that teams of attorneys have advised these leaders," including Lyons and Perry, to be "careful about what they say." There are "lawsuits aplenty concerning the Nassar horrors, with more likely to come." The time for "toeing the company line and escaping behind safe answers in the U.S. Olympic movement is over" (USA TODAY, 5/24).
