Thread by @SportsInsider

Olympic fencing was rocked by sexual misconduct allegations against épéeist Alen Hadžić last summer.

Top officials within USA Fencing resigned after a meeting in August, but insiders worry the organization’s approach to sexual misconduct won’t change.
businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

USA Fencing’s handling of the controversy –– Hadžić traveled to Tokyo as an alternate, despite an ongoing investigation into sexual assault claims against him — prompted outraged fencers to speak out, drawing parallels to USA Gymnastic’s #MeToo crisis.

https://twitter.com/SportsInsider/status/1422931861580435456

Now, USA Fencing executive director Kris Ekeren, communications director Nicole Jomantas, and general counsel Jim Neale have resigned in the wake of what several fencing insiders described as a disastrous August meeting.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

The meeting, which was open to the fencing community, took place on a conference call one week after the conclusion of the games. USA Fencing president Peter Burchard, called it an “emergency meeting” of the board.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

Seven of the board’s nine members voted against commencing a formal meeting, saying the fallout from the Hadžić accusations didn’t constitute a true emergency.

But the conference call continued, with parents and athletes lashing out at the board.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

Six participants recounted the details of the call.. A mother spoke about a fencing coach who, she said, admitted to touching her daughter inappropriately, according to these sources. She said the coach frequented events where her daughter competed.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

In a separate call for USA Fencing’s executives and board members held beforehand, David Alperstein, an at-large director, also waved off concerns, according to two people familiar with the call.

“This will all blow over,” he reportedly said.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

Concerns about the prevalence of sexual misconduct in American fencing — especially USA Fencing’s capacity to deal with it — are deepening, according to interviews with more than two dozen fencers, referees, and administrators.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

According to documents obtained by Insider, USA Fencing first became aware in 2013 of sexual assault allegations that launched the current SafeSport inquiry against Hadžić, but continued to permit him to travel with the team and compete in events.
businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

That year, the attorney representing the accuser wrote to Ekeren arguing that the incident violated USA Fencing’s policies, and that Hadžić should be barred from participating in the upcoming North American Cup Event.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

Courtney Hurley, who won a bronze medal in the 2012 games, said Hadžić’s continued presence in the sport mystified her and other competitive fencers.

She said she and her sister did their best to stay clear of Hadžić before the allegations went public.
businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

In an interview, Hadžić said he is being targeted because he made the Olympic team.

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…

Read more on the full investigation into USA Fencing by subscribing to @thisisinsider. ⬇️

businessinsider.com/us-fencing-exe…