7 July 2020
Dear Member of Congress:
We are the Equality League Youth Council, a diverse group of student athletes dedicated to advancing equality through sport by changing discriminatory laws, policies, and cultural practices. We are united in our belief that Senate Bill 2330—the Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act—must pass to protect and preserve our futures in sport.
Hundreds of cases of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of American athletes have been reported to national governing bodies across many sports, and far too many of these were minimized or completely ignored by the United States Olympic Committee, now called the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). USA Swimming hushed complaints against child molester Andy King, who was allowed to coach for 30 years. Faced with accusations of sexual abuse in USA Taekwondo, USOPC lawyers argued that the organization had no responsibility to protect its athletes from the sexual abuse they were experiencing at the hands of coaches Steven and Jean Lopez. Infamously, the USOPC and USA Gymnastics ignored numerous complaints against Larry Nassar and even promoted him, effectively allowing him to continue his sexual abuse of hundreds of young American athletes for decades. These crimes do not represent the moral failings of “just a few bad actors". These issues are institutional, and they will continue unless there is sufficient oversight. Senate Bill 2330 must pass with articles to establish congressional oversight of the USOPC in order to ensure protections for all amateur American athletes.
Freedom to participate in sport is a basic human right. All athletes should be free to grow and thrive in conditions that cultivate resilience, leadership, and confidence. This is only possible in an environment that fosters safety and protects our dignity. It is unacceptable to turn away from the abuse suffered by young athletes at the hands of coaches and trainers. The millions of young American athletes—including ourselves and our teammates—deserve to be safe while participating in sport, knowing our best interests are at the heart of our nation’s leaders.
To prevent further abuse of American athletes, structural reform is needed. We ask that you cast your vote in favor of Senate Bill 2330 with Congressional oversight to protect millions of American athletes from abuse and to safeguard the dignity of youth in sport.
Respectfully,
The Equality League Youth Council
