OLYMPIAN SUES USA SWIMMING TO ALLEGE SEXUAL ABUSE COVERUP

Olympic swimmer Ariana Kukors Smith sued USA Swimming on Monday, alleging the sport’s national governing body knew her former coach sexually abused her as a minor and covered it up. Kukors Smith, 28, alleges Sean Hutchison, who began coaching her at a swim club near Seattle, groomed her for sexual abuse when she was 13, started touching and kissing her when she was 16, and engaged in sexual activity with her when she was 17. Hutchison has denied the allegations, which emerged earlier this year when Kukors Smith, the 2009 world champion in the 200-metre individual medley who placed fifth in that event at the 2012 Games, posted an emotional essay online. The assistant coach on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team has not been charged with a crime.The