Olympic Sex Abuse, Ethical Eating?, and Lying About Climate Change
Kids' Coach Cheats, Missouri Oks Kids Carrying Guns, Players Sue NFL, and More
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Sports: Please Make This Stop
Snowboarders allege sex abuse by coach in latest horrifying Olympic lawsuit (USA Today)
SUMMARY: “In an increasingly common occurrence that has become appallingly familiar to most Americans, another story of alleged sexual abuse in the Olympic world has resurfaced in the form of a lawsuit filed by three athletes who once represented this nation on the world stage, including at the Olympic Games.
“Snowboarders Rosey Fletcher, Erin O’Malley and Callan Chythlook-Sifsof are suing former national team coach Peter Foley, as well as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard federation and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, alleging numerous instances of sexual abuse by Foley that they say were covered up by the two organizations.
“The alleged abuse, which was brought to light by Instagram posts by one of the athletes and by ESPN last year, occurred when they were competing from the 1990s into the first years of the 21st century. Foley was fired last March and is temporarily suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport as it investigates the case.”
MY TAKE: The only good that can come out of these endless stories about the abuse of female athletes by those they trusted is that we become even more diligent about who we let coach our children—at any level. But when I look at all the stories I’ve already reported on—as well as today’s stories—I worry that we’ve placed our need for entertainment above the well-being of our athletes—at any age.
ALSO READ: “Gymnastics still hasn’t fully reckoned with its abuse problem” (Vox); “290 coaches, officials tied to U.S. Olympic groups have been accused of sexual misconduct since 1982” (Chicago Tribune); “3 new misconduct cases in women’s soccer emerge after release of abuse report, US Soccer president says” (CNN)
RELATED ARTICLE: “Virginia basketball coach fired for impersonating 13-year-old in game” (The Guardian)
SUMMARY: “A 22-year-old Virginia basketball coach has been fired after being accused of attempting to pass herself off as one of her 13-year-old players during a game.
“According to Norfolk’s WAVY TV 10, when one of the members of the Churchland junior varsity girls basketball team in Portsmouth was out of town earlier this month, Arlisha Boykins stepped in and impersonated the absent player in their game against Nansemond.
“…Boykins, who was an assistant coach on the team, is no longer an employee of Portsmouth Public Schools… [T]wo other employees have been dismissed, including the head coach of the varsity team who had allegedly been ‘encouraging [Boykins’] behavior’ during the game.
“…Members of the Churchland team and their parents have decided to end their season early since the incident became public.”
MY TAKE: Yes, I’m outraged by the coaches’ lack of integrity, sportsmanship, and moral leadership. But maybe worse, I’m shocked that a school hired people to coach who are this stupid. How did they not know they would be caught? Kids talk. Also, how did the parents watching not recognize the coach playing? It’s a total collapse of intelligence and ethics. Week after week I report on these sports stories that feature abusive, cheating, and immoral coaches that we let guide our children. Unless parents and the institutions that hire them get more active in watching over them, this corruption will continue.