Athletes are safer today because the U.S. Center for SafeSport exists.
As the first national, independent organization of its kind in the world, we are pioneering a culture shift within the Olympic and Paralympic movement. We view the 2,500% increase in reports of abuse and misconduct since we opened in 2017 as evidence of culture change — people are coming forward because they know they can.
We have been candid about hurdles to establishing the first model for abuse prevention and accountability within the movement. Despite challenges, we continue to make true progress toward a safer sport culture and remain committed to continuous improvement.
- Between 2017 and 2023, we provided online courses on abuse prevention and response to nearly 4 million individuals.
- Reports continue to rise exponentially, which signals people are reporting because they understand the rules.
- There are more than 2,100 individuals listed as restricted or banned from sport in our Centralized Disciplinary Database.
- Regarding the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s arbitration process, by the end of 2023, only 79 out of 1,509 eligible matters went to arbitration — that’s 5%. Of those cases, 82% resulted in an independent arbitration judge either fully upholding the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s sanctions or agreeing there was a code violation and modifying sanctions.
- Relying on extensive athlete, survivor and stakeholder input, the U.S. Center for SafeSport announced process improvements as well as a revised SafeSport Code to enhance fairness, efficiency and trauma sensitivity.
We agree with op-ed writer Irvin Muchnick’s assessment that congressional action is needed (“Competitive swimming has a dark side of abuse and poor oversight,” July 28), and we have made several legislative requests to Congress.
For instance, the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act (EOPAA) requires a $20 million annual payment to fund the U.S. Center for SafeSport by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which does not account for rising inflation and mounting reports, nor the addition of new sports. We continue our call to Congress to increase funding by $10 million annually because the safety of our nation’s athletes is too important to shortchange.
The center is firm in its independence. The EOPAA separated the U.S. Center for SafeSport entirely from soliciting funding from the USOPC, and we have received certification of independence annually through reviews by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Additionally, we have used our independent authority to examine sport organizations for potential interference in our process.
I am in Paris with center leadership representing the first delegation from the U.S. Center for SafeSport to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our message: Medals should never come at the cost of athlete well-being.
Team USA, we are in your corner.
— Ju’Riese Colón, CEO, U.S. Center for SafeSport
Wowed by Simone Biles
After she and the women’s U.S. gymnastics team won the gold medal in the team final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Simone Biles now has more Olympic medals than any other American gymnast. She has won eight Olympic medals during three Games and broken the tie she had with fellow gymnast Shannon Miller. She already held the most gold medals by an American gymnast, having won four at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She also has a silver and two bronze medals from the Rio and Tokyo Olympics.
I think Biles is not only the greatest U.S. Olympian of all time but also the greatest Olympian of all time. Congratulations to Biles!
— Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach, Florida
Bravo to US Olympians
Simone Biles! Jordan Chiles! Suni Lee! Jade Carey! Hezly Rivera! Americans!
Nobody does it better. Nobody.
— Joseph A. Murzanski, Orland Park
Term limits for justices
President Joe Biden said he would “figure out a way” to get U.S. Supreme Court “reform” done. Apparently, “reform” equals term or age limits (or both). The Constitution and the Federalist Papers have something to say about this.
Article 3, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that federal judges “shall hold their offices during good behavior” — i.e., for life. So there is nothing the president can do to implement term limits. A constitutional amendment would be required. See Article 5 as to what that entails.
It’s ironic that the president shall on the one hand decry the power that the court has given to the executive branch while at the same time trying to clip the wings of what the authors of the Federalist Papers called the weakest branch. Federalist No. 78 has a lot to say about why judges should not be term-limited. That and the Constitution itself make good reading.
— Jack Edelbrock, attorney, Mayer Brown, Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin
Ethical rules for justices
President Joe Biden’s push for so-called reforms regarding the U.S. Supreme Court would be a wasted effort. If Congress passes a law strengthening the ethical standards to be met by the justices or a law increasing the number of justices, the Supreme Court would simply declare the law unconstitutional. A change in the ethical standards for the sitting justices must come from within the court. At minimum, a new moral standard regarding “gifts” is clearly overdue.
— Richard J. Aronson, Highland Park
Disreputable behavior
I can understand why President Joe Biden would like to change some things about the U.S. Supreme Court. And I don’t believe his primary purpose is the appointment of a new justice every two years. It’s that two of the older justices are taking advantage of the graft they have been offered.
When Justice Clarence Thomas takes what he is given and does not care what people think about it and when Justice Samuel Alito puts the blame on his wife but chooses not to take down an upside-down flag, this is not what the Founding Fathers wanted. They are turning over in their graves.
And how the Republican Party can agree with these two, who at the very least should be reprimanded by the chief justice, is against all the Supreme Court should stand for.
— Marsha Lieberman, Chicago
Term limits for Congress
The presidency has term limits. Now Biden wants it for the Supreme Court. So what about Congress too? Why should federal lawmakers be exempt?
— Roger Grubb, Morton Grove
No one is above the law
Regarding President Joe Biden’s proposed “no one is above the law” amendment, I fully support term limits and a binding code of conduct for U.S. Supreme Court justices. I highly recommend age limits, as well. But why stop there? Any and all rules of conduct should apply equally to Congress — the Senate and House of Representatives.
After all, no one is above the law.
— Mike Sheahan, Oswego
Invitation to Trump
I have had the unique opportunity to visit Chicago twice: once before the Trump International Hotel & Tower opened in 2009 and again after its completion.
Chicago is definitely a business-inclined major metropolitan city. Its culture is a unique one.
This week, the National Association of Black Journalists is conducting its annual convention in the Windy City. As a freelance writer, I am perfectly aware that being in attendance is important for minority journalists of all types of beats. Journalists by ethical rules must be unbiased and impartial, regardless of their personal political affiliation. That is necessary for fair and nondiscriminatory reporting.
But considering Donald Trump’s long-standing court involvement, I myself find it unbelievable that members of the organization would suggest that Trump address this highly reputable group of elite media personnel.
— Wayne E. Williams, Camden, New Jersey
Fitting praise for Biden
Thank you to Storer H. Rowley for his excellent op-ed on President Joe Biden in Sunday’s paper (“Biden’s vision? ‘Enough of us came together to carry all of us forward.’”). It is fitting to give praise to an outgoing president.
The Tribune Editorial Board should have done the same rather than slam our president in its editorial on July 22 (“Biden finally bows to the inevitable and leaves race”), which was disrespectful.
— Mary Ann Angio, Homer Glen
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.