SafeSport calls out figure skating for unchecked "culture of abuse"

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SafeSport calls out figure skating for unchecked "culture of abuse"

 In response to a U.S. Figure Skating letter that challenged its credibility and operating methods, the U.S. Center for SafeSport has criticized figure skating for a culture that “allowed grooming and abuse to go on unchecked for too long.”

SafeSport leveled that charge in a statement sent to Globetrotting that also rejected a USFS request made last week for the Center to complete its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct made against late pairs skater John Coughlin.

It a Feb. 26 letter to the SafeSport board of directors, USFS cited concerns about the way SafeSport handles such allegations as a reason for wanting the investigation finished.

“Many U.S. Figure Skating athletes and members have expressed concern to U.S. Figure Skating leadership over the Center’s actions and shared that they have lost trust and confidence in how the Center processes allegations of abuse,” the USFS letter said.

SafeSport’s Monday statement said its work on the Coughlin case and “other Figure Skating matters” had uncovered evidence that there “was/is” a wider problem of abuse in the sport.

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U.S. Figure Skating asks again for SafeSport to finish investigation into allegations against John Coughlin

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U.S. Figure Skating asks again for SafeSport to finish investigation into allegations against John Coughlin

U.S. Figure Skating has requested again that the U.S. Center for SafeSport complete the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the late pairs skating champion John Coughlin to end what USFS called the “uncertainty. . .innuendo and continued speculation” about the case.

SafeSport announced Feb. 12 that it would not continue the investigation because Coughlin’s death removed the need to do it.

In a letter dated Tuesday and sent to SafeSport board chairman Frank Marshall and interim CEO Regis Becker, the USFS board asked that the decision to terminate the investigation be reconsidered.

“U.S. Figure Skating strongly believes it is imperative the Center completes its investigation to ensure the principle of fairness is met and to provide closure to this matter, including for the claimants, U.S. Figure Skating athletes and members, and Mr. Coughlin’s family,” said the letter, signed by USFS president Anne Cammett, executive director David Raith and athletes advisory commission chair Mark Ladwig.

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In Russian Figure Skating Federation's no-win game to pick worlds team, Tuktamysheva the loser

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In Russian Figure Skating Federation's no-win game to pick worlds team, Tuktamysheva the loser

 The Russian Figure Skating Federation’s selection Wednesday of its women’s team for next month’s World Championships was sure to cause controversy, given four strong candidates for three places.

And it did, as Elizaveta Tuktamysheva was left off the team in favor of Alina Zagitova, Sofia Samodurova and Evgenia Medvedeva.

The controversy was centered on the pick of Medvedeva over Tuktamysheva.  The federation said on its web site that a vote of its 27-member coaching council had 19 votes for Medvedeva, 7 for Tuktamysheva and 1 abstention.

No selection criteria were given.  It is believed the result of last week’s Russian Cup Final, in which Medvedeva beat Tuktamysheva for first place by fewer than two points, was a significant factor.

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U.S. Figure Skating disappointed over all questions left unanswered by SafeSport decision to end investigation into allegations against late national champion John Coughlin

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U.S. Figure Skating disappointed over all questions left unanswered by SafeSport decision to end investigation into allegations against late national champion John Coughlin

 The U.S. Center for SafeSport has ended its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against the late figure skater John Coughlin despite a strongly worded request from U.S. Figure Skating to complete the process.

That news was contained in an opaque statement Tuesday from SafeSport spokesman Dan Hill “regarding its (the Center’s) application of interim measures in response to recent events.“

The statement did not mention Coughlin by name, which Hill indicated in an email was a SafeSport policy.  Its critical point, made obtusely, was Coughlin’s death precluded the need to continue:

“Since the Center’s response and resolution process works to protect the sport community and other covered persons from the risks associated with sexual misconduct and abuse, it cannot advance an investigation when no potential threat exists,” the statement said.

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New story about an old speedskating event revives warm memories of an icy magical mystery tour

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New story about an old speedskating event revives warm memories of an icy magical mystery tour

 It was with a sense of wistful nostalgia, gratefulness and fascination that I read Andrew Keh’s excellent story about the “Alternative Elfstedentocht” in Sunday’s New York Times.

The Elfstedentocht, which means 11 Cities Tour, is 124-mile speedskating marathon linking 11 Frisian cities via the canals of the northern Netherlands. It is a Dutch cultural and sporting touchstone.

But it is one that sadly may have permanently been relegated to warm memories by the lack of cold that has prevented the event from taking place in the Netherlands for 22 years.

So, as Keh wrote, there is an “alternative” version of the race, which takes place on a frozen lake in the Austrian mountains, preserving the sporting challenge but not the historical and traditional essence of the event. No matter how stunning the surrounding vistas, 10-mile loops of a lake cannot match the city-to-city course in Friesland.

Truth be told, few winters since the first recognized Elfstedentocht in 1909 have been cold enough for the canals to have the ice thickness necessary for the marathon.  It has been held just 15 times in 110 years –and just once since 1986. As measured in days, the drought since 1997 is the longest ever between races.

I had the good fortune to be there as a journalist in 1986, and it led to a story that always will be one of my favorites, as it gave me a chance to blend sport, culture and anecdota in a way that was hopefully enlightening and entertaining.

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