‘SafeSport is failing’: how a body made to protect athletes has fallen short

The US Center for SafeSport was formed to protect athletes from abuse. But the mounting number of critics who say it’s failed in its mission is reaching a critical mass

Since March 2017, the US Center for SafeSport has been charged by federal law to fight the scourge of sexual misconduct and other abuses in Olympic sports.

The Center has established well-regarded training courses and a national database of nearly 2,000 suspended coaches, athletes and other personnel. But it has also faced barrages of criticism from all corners – accusers who find it ineffective, accused parties who say it’s been weaponized, lawyers who prefer to let the US judicial system handle things, and lawmakers who occasionally fret but haven’t done much to make sure the Center it founded.