SWIM GROUP DETAILS ABUSE STANCE
The new head of USA Swimming has sent a letter to members of the national governing body saying the organization doesn’t tolerate sexual abuse or misconduct.
The letter signed by president and Chief Executive Tim Hinchey went out to member clubs and individuals Thursday.
“Let me be clear: USA Swimming does not tolerate sexual abuse or misconduct, and I assure you that this organization is facing this extremely serious issue with one very clear goal — protecting children and athletes,” he wrote.
This month, former Olympian and world champion swimmer Ariana Kukors alleged publicly that her former coach Sean Hutchison sexually abused her for a decade starting when she was a minor. Hutchison has denied the allegations.
He acknowledged they were in a relationship after the 2012 Olympics, when she was 23 and he was 41.
“We will not shy away from acknowledging or supporting survivors of abuse, and we will strive to ensure that there is never a lapse of a support system again,” Hinchey said in the letter.
USA Swimming hired a private investigator to look into speculation of a relationship between Kukors and Hutchison in 2010. The organization said it closed the investigation without finding any misconduct after they and others denied the relationship.
Some have criticized the investigation as insufficient. It followed other sex abuse scandals in the sport that led to lifetime bans. USA Swimming said Kukors’ public statement was the first it learned of the underage abuse allegations.
This week, the Southern California News Group conducted an extensive investigation that found USA Swimming repeatedly balked at overhauling a culture in which “the sexual abuse of underage swimmers by their coaches and others in positions of power within the sport was commonplace and even accepted by top officials and coaches,” resulting in hundreds of young victims.
A silver lining
Canadian defenseman Jocelyne Larocque says she wishes she hadn’t taken off her silver medal almost immediately after it was placed around her neck at the Pyeongchang Olympics.
Larocque issued a statement through Team Canada apologizing to the IOC, International Ice Hockey Federation, the Pyeongchang Olympic Organizing Committee, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Hockey Canada and her teammates and fans.
She says her emotions got the best of her Thursday after a 3-2 shootout loss to the United States and she meant no disrespect. Larocque says she takes being a role model and representing Canada seriously and is truly sorry that her actions did not represent her values or those of her family and team.
The general manager of Canada’s national team programs says they expect professionalism and sportsmanship from their players.
Serwa earns gold
Canada’s Kelsey Serwa has raced to victory in women’s ski cross, giving her a gold medal to go with the silver she won in Sochi four years ago.
Serwa raced to the lead early in the final and was well in front by the time she reached the bottom of the course at Phoenix Snow Park. Canadian teammate Brittany Phelan made an impressive pass late in the run to finish second.
Serwa’s victory came two days after Canada’s Brady Leman took gold in the men’s event.