The CEO of a nonprofit organization focused on eradicating athlete abuse says progress has been made on the issue.
In a recent interview with the Japanese website KYODO News, Ju’Reise Colon of the U.S. Center for SafeSport said athletes no longer must accept any treatment from coaches in the name of success.
“We just don’t have that culture anymore …,” Colon said.
According to the article, the organization was formed in Denver, Colo., in 2017 after a number of U.S. female gymnasts alleged they had been sexually abused.
The article states the center receives roughly 150 reports of misconduct per week, more than double from 2020. However, Colon pointed out in the interview that this doesn’t necessarily indicate an increased level of athlete abuse, but that people feel “more comfortable” speaking out about problems they experience with their coaches.
U.S. Center for SafeSport promotes education to prevent sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in both the Olympic and Paralympic athletic circles and investigates allegations.
