As to USAS, ugh. In a series of jarring allegations from several sources, it has been discovered that a former high-level coach with close ties to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC)home to Michael Phelps and other Olympianswas accused of molestation and other inappropriate behavior towards some of his female swimmers while he was coaching elite athletes over a period of decades. After personally interviewing unimpeachable sources who corroborated the information Tim wrote, the decision was made to return the story to the web with absolutely no changes. Analysis of the autopsy report aligns with accounts that Lowenthal was not pulled from the water until many minutes after he was stricken. You state their conclusion that Because USA Swimming (and therefore its Code of Conduct) was not in existence in 1975, the organization legally had no recourse in the matter. He was one of the only adults who stood up for us when there were a lot of other adults that should have been standing up as well, but were not and enabled this to happen, said Shelby Mullendore, a 21-year-old senior swimmer. I also recognize that backstories and their interpretation are organic; I strive for what is, at best, the second draft of history. Anastasia Gloushkov Leventhal, then 19, left, with her teammate Inna Yoffe in 2004. USA Swimming states: Because USA Swimming (and therefore its Code of Conduct) was not in existence in 1975, the organization legally had no recourse in the matter. Spoons, scissors and other metal objects used as tapping devices for swimmers to hear underwater are sometimes thrown at athletes by upset coaches. The National Board of Review has the authority to rule on the membership status of the accused individual. These allegations Joyce reports that the victim reported the activities to her club in October of 2011, at which time the impeccably-managed club seems to have taken every appropriate action: they immediately relieved the coach of his duties, they reported him to the police, and they reported him to USA Swimming. Coaches around the world in the sport, now known as artistic swimming, are facing accusations that they bullied, harassed and psychologically abused athletes. The first investigation and its conclusion were largely kept quiet by campus leaders and Shaw continued treating female athletes unfettered as the Department of Justice put it for the next decade. SJSU administrators say they were first informed of these allegations by Spartans swimming and diving coach Sage Hopkins, after students on Hopkins team reported the alleged misconduct. Eventually, Peel wrote, she developed an acute generalized anxiety disorder that required three trips to the emergency room in an ambulance, psychotherapy and medication that she still takes. 01 June 2015, 09:37am. WebNBAC sent just one swimmer to the U.S. Olympic trials this year, and the clubs athletes no longer train at the Meadowbrook Swim Club in Mount Washington, where Phelps and all After I broke the story of past sexual impropriety, involving multiple victims at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC), Irv proceeded to uncover other episodes of abuse and negligence at NBAC the countrys most famous swim club that will surely become even more disturbing as more details emerge. 9, 2010 -- In a sex abuse scandal that some victims compare to what happened in the Catholic Church, at least 36 swimming coaches have been banned for life by the USA Swimming organization over the last 10 years because of sexual misconduct. Kiss, the Hungarian swimmer who was coached by Szauder during her teenage years, said she experienced none of the behavior that Canadian swimmers have alleged. Its all about them as usual. Here is the story as it appeared on WBAL. Like Ive repeatedly said for weeksthis scandal only will get worse. WebA former student of a high-level coach with ties to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club recently came forward with sexual abuse allegations against that coach. The Department of Justice said in its report that there are potentially many more. Shaw, who has declined to talk to the media and is under criminal investigation by the FBI, resigned in August 2020. An Instagram account created for Canadian swimmers to anonymously share their concerns and experiences has more than 50 responses. Five former swimmers have suedCanada Artistic Swimming, saying it failed to provide a safe environment and neglected abusive behavior by coaches. The North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC) is a swim club based in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Anyone can read what you share. Alison Williams, left, andMariya Koroleva at the womens duet synchronized swimming final in 2015 in Toronto. Baltimore police have found no record of any complaint being passed on yet. There were people entrusted with safeguarding our campus and nearly every decision they made, if not every decision they made, was wrong.. NBAC wouldnt comment on the case, though one will recall that there was much coaching turnover in the club in the fall of 2011. 2020 Concussion Inc. - Author Irvin Muchnick. About a month later, he was sued for defamation in Maryland federal court in Baltimore for some of what he'd been publishing and pushing other media to cover-allegations that a February 2012 incident involving NBAC team members amounted to a "sexual assault," even though a law-enforcement investigation concluded without charges. Swimming Coach Accused Of Molestation At North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Canadian artistic swimmer Gabriella Brisson, center, said a coach suggested she move to Africa to lose weight. The gaslighting that went on, suggesting that the abused swimmers werent really abused, he said, was truly hard to watch.. "That's really disturbing to me, not knowing where those videos are.". I am pleased to be joining Irv Muchnick in reporting and commentary on the multitudinous USA Swimming scandals. Last fall, he was accused by five swimmers of making sexist remarks, weight-shaming athletes and committing other troubling behavior. Its a very good first step in the healing of dozens of survivors.. An argument could be made that the rape and escape dodge should not work. Do they not wonder if there are other alleged victims? From the statement: Because USA Swimming (and therefore its Code of Conduct) was not in existence in 1975, the organization legally had no recourse in the matter.. Susan Beachy contributed research. An investigation conducted by a human resources officer on campus cleared Shaw, saying that his pressure point therapy was legitimate a finding that led to the emotional poolside meeting. In this case US Swimming did what it could. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. To reiterate, USA Swimming, after being notified of a serious allegation didnt act. Tim Joyce of WBAL in Baltimore has broken another big story on the front of sexual abuse in swimming, as he claims he has been in contact with a victim who claims to have been sexually abused while at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, home to Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman. While I will accept a significant degree of credit for reporting on this story for a bit longer than Irv, the fact is that his tenacious and accurate reporting particularly over the last five months has been nothing short of remarkable. FBI agents became aware of the pictures after a North Carolina woman bought the coach's computer on E-Bay and discovered a video clip of a young girl in a locker room appearing to be taped without her knowledge. Being a member of USA Swimming is a privilege, not a right. An Instagram account, @mental_abuse_nac, was recently created for athletes to express their concerns. To again focus on NBAC for a moment, the refusal of the local media in Baltimore to ask the tough questions of Murray Stephens, Bob Bowman, John Cadigan, and, yes, Michael Phelps about what has occurred at their lauded club has been an abject abdication of journalistic responsibility. Hindson was sentenced in 2008 to 33 years in federal prison. WebBig Sky school hires former SJSU official involved in sex abuse scandal. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Mendoza said King would move out of town once parents or police began asking questions and was stopped only after a 14-year old girl in San Jose complained to her youth pastor. That was an awesome start to the season, he said, a really, really awesome start.. Natalia Tarasova, the head national team coach during that period and the only coach named Natalia listed in the Hungarian artistic swimming federations meeting minutes for those years, did not respond to requests for comment. WebNorth Baltimore Aquatic Club. The toll, however, has been profound, Hopkins said Saturday, on myself, on my family, on many others. He said he had not yet received the written apology from SJSU that was mandated as part of the settlement. ", NBAC's attorney, Frank Morgan, declined to comment for this article or about Muchnick's allegations of unaddressed problems at NBAC. FTC Disclaimer | Terms of Use & Privacy Policy The dossier prompted then-SJSU President Mary Papazian to initiate an external investigation into Shaws behavior and SJSUs handling of the initial probe in 2009. The investigator conducts a thorough review to determine if the complaint has merit. Not one phone call or email was sent to the alleged victim who came forward. In another incident, Ormond said that Szauder told her, Sion, zip up your hoodie before I get too excited. Such behavior by Szauder was excused by Canadian officials, Ormond said, as a cultural difference because he was European. Concussion Inc. has reported that Hall of Fame swimming coach Murray Stephens is back as the operator of the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, home of Michael Phelps original base, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, after having disappeared as the face of the center in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct. Former San Jose State University Athletic Director Marie Tuite began a new role at Southern Utah University on Wednesday, two years after she was named in multiple lawsuits and investigations at SJSU. After complaints by the mother of the swimmer who'd been bumped, the two other swimmers wrote "apology notes" that were "accepted," and "at no time" did anyone involved say there had been "any conduct of a sexual nature"-until 10 months later, after Muchnick started writing about the incident. Olympic body under fire; 36 coaches banned for sexual misconduct with teens. 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Hey, do you? Moving forward, here are some topics from Concussion Inc. on which the alternative City Paper and its Van Smith might consider shining some light in the Charm City or, alternatively, explaining why they cant. by Jason Marsteller. ': A magical hike's dark side. 9, 2010 -- In a sex abuse scandal that some victims compare to what happened in the Catholic Church, at least 36 swimming coaches have been banned for life by the In a statement on Sept. 21, 2021, announcing its findings, the DOJ stated it had concluded that SJSU failed to respond adequately for more than a decade to reports of sexual harassment and that the university retaliated against two employees who had alerted officials. Anton Siekel, president of the Slovak Olympic Committee, said in an email to The Times that complaints about Szauders behavior and strange attitude toward training had been lodged by multiple parents and swimmers there, helping to prompt an initiative for providing safe sport. It was a spring afternoon in 2010. Read more , They (USA Swimming) do state, however, that they passed the complaint and information to the Baltimore County Police Department, Precinct 1.. Ken Stopkotte, named Indiana High School Boys Swimming and Diving State Coach of the year for 2009, said the problem is pervasive and has been going on his entire 27 years in coaching. This is about the dozens of survivors of Scott Shaw and having the right thing done for them.. WebApr. Canadian artistic swimmers have made it clear that abusive behavior by coaches and body-shaming began before Szauder became head coach of the national team. According to the lawsuit, what actually happened was that, during a swimming practice, the two swimmers who Muchnick accused of assault "accidentally bumped or contacted" a third swimmer who "was stopped purposefully and was blocking the wall" of the pool. SUU is aware of the situation at San Jose State and based on a thorough review, reference checks and standard hiring protocols, the university is confident in welcoming Marie to Thunderbird Athletics, he said in an emailed statement. And what of the reported incident and ongoing police and USA Swimming investigations of last years swimmer-on-swimmer sex assault? But McKenna, the plaintiff's lawyer, says Muchnick was "really using his website as an internet bully pulpit" and that "his goal was increasing his search-engine optimization" by using terms such as "sexual assault" together with famous names, like "Michael Phelps," "Bob Bowman," and "North Baltimore Aquatic Club. First go to the police, then go to USA Swimming. Pedro Pardo/Agence France-Presse Getty Images. This reported abuse happened 37 years ago. "He had almost every conceivable sex act," he said. WebThe Court of Appeals decision Meadowbrook Swimming Club, Inc. vs Talbot J. Albert et al is the precedent case cited in Maryland for noise complaints. Tim Joyce, Concussion Inc.s new collaborator on the USA Swimming story, is a contributing writer for Forbes Real Clear Sports and a widely published journalist. Canadas artistic swimming team competed in the team technical event during the 2019 world championships in Gwangju, South Korea. A few years after competing in synchronized swimming at the 2012 London Olympics, Szofi Kiss of Hungary began working with a coach from Russia, whom she would identify only by her first name as Natalia. But Gloushkov Leventhal said she realized that athletes from other countries often do not have the same satisfying experience. Jessica Long, a 12-time Paralympic gold medalist, is now training at Loyola University in Baltimore, Md. Five hundred is even more," he told correspondent Brian Ross. Actually, NBAC is the one who did everything right, not USA Swimming. When I embarked on these investigations 15 months ago, beginning with the tragic suicidal death of Sarah Burt, I never thought Id stumble into such a morass of institutional failure; from the cover-ups in Colorado Springs to the abuse history of legendary coach Rick Curl; from USA Swimmings retaliation against whistle blowers to new cases of coach abuse in Alaska, Missouri, and elsewhere. To read all about the SafeSport program, click here, or read the full letter below). Michael Phelps swam his final race at his longtime Baltimore pool, Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, winning a 100m freestyle at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club Mid-Summer Classic on Monday. Im under no illusion that Phelps or his coach, Bob Bowman (now in the employ of a very powerful Olympic consulting group, TSE) will be forced to answer such questions in the immediate future. All Non-athlete members of USA Swimming are also required to complete athlete protection training. What is USA Swimmings stance on Safe Sport? Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). The news director offered an explanation for the first removal but not for the permanent removal. For USA Swimming not to investigate such a serious charge, especially since it involved a coach associated with this most famed club, is staggeringand made even more astounding considering that NBAC acted in such swift fashion. The lawsuit was filed by "John Doe" because the plaintiff-one of the team members, who Muchnick cast as one of the two perpetrators of the alleged assault-was a minor. "It was a sense of betrayal," Indiana swimming star Brooke Taflinger told ABC News chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross for a report to be broadcast Friday on "20/20.". Murray Stephens is a major benefactor of McDonogh and his wife is a trustee there. This is an ugly situation. Days after the interview, on July 28, Muchnick resumed his reporting on the incident with a post entitled "February 2012 incident at Bob Bowman and Michael Phelps' North Baltimore Aquatic Club remains under investigation by USA Swimming," the country's national governing body for competitive swimming. "In the course of rooting out systematic sexual abuse," Muchnick explains, "there is a possibility that, somewhere along the way, there's going to be a false positive in the allegations, but that doesn't mean to me that you just sit back." 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The fear shared by many in our community is that if this were to happen today and was brought to USA Swimmings attention they wouldnt bring it to the police. Gloushkov Leventhal called competing in the Olympics a golden dream., Hungarian artistic swimming federations meeting minutes, Female college athletes are making millions. Genevive Peel, 26, a medical student and former elite Canadian artistic swimmer, wrote a series of blog posts in October, describing the despair that left her sitting on the edge of chairs so her thighs would appear thinner, counting the exact number of almonds she had for a snack and developing an overwhelming fear of gaining a single pound. If so, have you spoken to your sisters about him? Because USA Swimming (and therefore its Code of Conduct) was not in existence in 1975, the organization legally had no recourse in the matter. 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