U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) introduced "potentially groundbreaking legislation" that would create a 16-member panel selected by Congress to "evaluate the USOC and recommend structural and policy changes," according to Scott Reid of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Gardner's introduction yesterday of the "Strengthening U.S. Olympics Act" follows more than two years of "increasing pressure on Congress to take a more active role in overseeing an overhaul of the Colorado Springs-based USOC and determining the extent USOC and national governing body officials were involved in covering up sexual abuse." If passed, the legislation would "create 'the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics' that would examine proposed reforms to the structure of the USOC, diversity within the USOC and the athletes that participate in American Olympic sports, the organization’s licensing agreements, finances and financial organization." The commission would "look at whether athletes are meeting goals set by the USOC and evaluate the function" of U.S. NGBs. The commission would also "make an assessment of whether the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, which was created and funded by the USOC, 'effectively handles reported cases of bullying, hazing, harassment, and sexual assault.'" Within 270 days of the enactment of the measure, the commission would issue a "detailed statement of findings, conclusions, recommendations and suggested policy changes" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/16).
A DEEPER LOOK: In Colorado Springs, Roeder & Earls in a front-page piece report the panel would "include eight athletes" and would "carry subpoena power." Gardner said, "This is an idea where we build from some of the best minds in the country to create an Olympic Committee we can all be proud of." The panel would "determine whether athletes have enough say in the organization, whether the USOC spends its money appropriately and if it has done enough to combat sexual assault." Congressional committees last year "held a series of hearings on the Larry Nassar case that rocked gymnastics." Gardner’s commission would take a "broader look" at the USOC than earlier probes that "focused primarily on the Nassar case." Gardner said that he has "talked over the plan with fellow senators and gained initial approval" from Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 1/16).
