The "LITTLE-NOTICED" Commission On The State Of U.S. Olympics And Paralympics
USOPC CEO's Statement Regarding The CSUSOP Report
This phrase was from the opinion written by Irvin Muchnick for the Chicago Tribune newspaper - “Parents have the power to compel Congress to act to protect young athletes.”
I am thrilled to see “Little-Noticed.”
Read my previous newsletter issue - Does The Public Know About CSUSOP And Its Purposes? (January 22, 2024) first.
Today is the 15th day after the Final Report of the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics (CSUSOP) was submitted to Congress on March 1st.
So, I checked the ten largest daily US newspapers (in order of circulation) to see if they had written an article about the CSUSOP Final Report:
Wall Street Journal - “Olympic Commission Wants to Put the U.S. Government in Charge of Youth Sports,” (subscribed).
New York Times - ZERO
Washington Post - “Fixing Olympic and youth sports requires federal intervention, report says.” (subscribed).
New York Post - ZERO
USA Today - “U.S. Center for SafeSport needs independence and increased funding, commission says.”
Los Angeles Times - ZERO
Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul) - ZERO
Newsday - ZERO
Chicago Tribune - ZERO, but it ran Muchnick’s opinion.
Tampa Bay Times - ZERO
It is the same as the Colorado Springs Gazette (the home of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee). Still, like smaller newspapers, it used to print the Associated Press article by Eddie Pells - “Olympic Commission suggests wide-ranging changes to SafeSport and USOPC.”
Other Publications:
ESPN—“Federal commission to offer major changes for athlete safety.” (Note: This article was published before the release of the CSUSOP Report.)
Sports Business Journal - “Hirshland: USOPC won’t wait on Congress to create change.”
Law360 - “Commission Eyes Sweeping Changes To US Olympic Model.” (subscribed).
Sports Examiner - “U.S. Olympic Commission report is out.”
Salon - “America's amateur sports are plagued with scandal: Is reform finally coming?” (Note: Salon wrote “The Commission on the Future of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee” instead of “The Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics.”
KRDO13 of Colorado Springs - Olympic athletes live in poverty while executives get rich, federal report finds
So Irvin Muchnick is right about “Little-Noticed.”
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Read the complete USOPC statement from CEO Sarah Hirshland here:
“Earlier this morning, the official report from the Congressional Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics went live. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Congressional Commission and Congress for their dedication and commitment to our Olympic and Paralympic community.
As we delve into the Commission's recommendations, a significant aspect that was not acknowledged is the profound evolution that has taken place throughout the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement since the Commission’s inception. These past five years, as a community we have undergone a journey of transformation and growth. We have navigated through a sea of challenges and have risen from them stronger, more resilient, and with a renewed and unwavering commitment to our mission.
Our collective commitment to amplify the voices of athletes, prioritize their safety and well-being, and set the standard for exceptional sports administration has remained steadfast. We have worked tirelessly to increase athlete representation and center athlete safety, to increase transparency and accountability in our governance structures, and to increase awareness and support for the Paralympic movement.
In this journey, we have made significant strides. Athletes now constitute 50% of our board, many elected by their peers. We have put in place robust safety policies and have hired a dedicated Vice President of Athlete Safety to ensure the well-being of our athletes. We have also created an athlete services division to provide comprehensive support to our athletes, from mental health resources to career guidance.
We have increased transparency and accountability in our governance structures, providing annual reports to Congress, and auditing the National Governing Bodies of over 50 sports. Our efforts to increase awareness and support for the Paralympic movement culminated in adding it to the USOPC name in 2019.
We acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. We remain committed to being a constructive participant in making our organization and the Olympic and Paralympic movements stronger. As this discussion moves forward, our focus remains on providing certainty to athletes, fans, and donors that the United States is ready for a strong showing in Paris, a successful Summer Games in LA in 2028, and securing a Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2034.
We look forward to reviewing the Commission’s findings and recommendations and will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of our organization, athletes, and the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Once again, I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and dedication to our mission. Together, I am confident that we will continue to make strides and shape a brighter future for the Olympic and Paralympic movements.”
Sarah Hirshland, USOPC CEO
It was provided by KRDO13 of Colorado Springs.
In the 2022 Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, Hannah Wetzel took a Bronze in the Women's Long Jump event. Her father, Daryl, is a three-time Deaflympian - winning two Gold Medals in Men's Basketball in 1985 and 1993 and a Bronze medal in Men's Handball in 1989.
Under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 period (1978-98), Daryl’s 1985 USA team trained at the USOC Training Center in Colorado Springs before departing for the 1985 World Games for the Deaf (renamed to Deaflympics in 2001) in Los Angeles. The USOC also provided lots of developmental funds to the American Athletic Association of the Deaf (renamed the USA Deaf Sports Federation in 1997).
However, under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1998 (1998 to present), the USOPC has closed its doors to athletes who are deaf and hard of hearing.
“However, the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act makes no provision for the Deaflympics,” told USADSF President Jeff Mansfield at the CSUSOP Hearing on September 6, 2023.