Fencer makes US team despite misconduct case
Alen Hadzic, a fencer under investigation for sexual misconduct, has made USA Fencing’s 2022 senior world team, according to the organization.
In a recent news release announcing members, USA Fencing said, “We understand that many in the USA Fencing community will question Alen Hadzic’s inclusion on our 2022 Senior World Team, given that he is still under investigation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport – an independent body separate from USA Fencing.”
Hadzic’s presence as an alternate on the U.S. men’s epee team last summer at the Olympics in Tokyo prompted a backlash from several of his teammates and others in the fencing community.
The three other members of the men’s epee team wore pink masks for their opening match in Tokyo as a show of support for sexual assault victims. At least three women, all fencers, have said Hadzic committed sexual misconduct against them during incidents between 2013 and 2015.
Hazdic, 30, was prohibited from staying with his teammates at the Olympic Village.
In October, Hadzic learned he was being blocked from entering events by USA Fencing “for the foreseeable future,” according to USA Fencing. That kept Hadzic from competing at an event in France.
But on Thursday, a USA Fencing spokesman said an arbitrator for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) ruled Hadzic could compete in “protected” events.
A protected event is one in which athletes can earn points toward a championship. By contrast, the event in France was “unprotected.”
The arbitrator’s ruling, which cleared the way for Hadzic to make the team, was based on the USOPC bylaws, said Bryan Wendell, director of communications for USA Fencing.
“SafeSport is the authority that gets to decide, not just in fencing but in any sport, who has the right to compete in this case at those protected event which are essentially the place where he can earn points for the world championships,” Wendell said.
SafeSport spokesman Dan Hill said the organization, to protect the integrity of the investigative process, does not comment on ongoing matters.
“We had hoped for a swifter resolution to this investigation, which has now stretched on for more than a year,” USA Fencing said in its news release. “We share in the frustration of fencers and fencing fans. The U.S. Center for SafeSport has the exclusive authority to adjudicate reports of alleged sexual abuse and sexual misconduct. As long as the outcome of this investigation remains unresolved, USA Fencing is obligated to allow Hadzic to compete internationally. But we have taken decisive action where we can.”
For the past year, according to USA Fencing, the organization has implemented a safety plan “designed to protect athletes, coaches and staff at all tournaments at which Hadzic has been a participant.
“While we await the conclusion of this protracted investigation, we will continue to put the safety of our athletes, coaches and staff above all else.”
As part of that plan, Hadzic will participate only in the individual competition. The world championships will be held next month in Egypt.
Wendell said the safety plan also will include a chaperone and separate accommodations for Hazdic.
“We did all this in consultation with our athletes,” Wendell said. “We had a long Zoom meeting with them where they could express their concerns and we could tell them our plan and get feedback on that plan. ... We’re making sure we listen to them and make them as safe and secure as possible given the circumstances.”
The world championships will be held next month in Egypt.
The 25 fencers who made the team qualified by accruing points at domestic and international events, according to USA Fencing.
A team member who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they said they could not speak publicly until the SafeSport investigation is complete expressed frustration that the matter is unresolved.
“It’s just very reminiscent of what happened in Tokyo where people are frustrated with the duration of the SafeSport investigation, the fact that it’s been now over a year and there’s no conclusion to it,” the team member said. “It just feels like the same thing happening all over again, so I think there’s a lot of frustration and people just kind of feel like it’s an unnecessary distraction.”