Olympic bronze medalist Rosie Fletcher and two other American snowboarders are suing their former coach for “sexual assault”.
Fletcher, the 2006 Olympic bronze medalist, along with Erin O’Malley and Callan Chitlock-Sevsov, are suing former coach Peter Foley and sports authorities in Los Angeles District Court.
The athletes alleged that Foley sexually abused and beat them and other women for “nearly 20 years” with “help, permission and approval” from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the U.S. Snowboard and Snowboard Association.
The suit, seeking unspecified monetary damages, alleges that Foley used his trust in female athletes to “force them into sex through force, manipulation, emotional abuse, intimidation and retribution.”
“Fowley’s mistreatment was repeatedly reported to U.S. Paralympic Committee and Ski and Snowboard officials by several of the athletes Foley coached, but no action was taken,” the lawsuit says.
In a separate lawsuit filed on Thursday, Lindsey Nicola, an employee of the American Sports Federation’s communications committee, accused Foley of sexual harassment.
“We are aware of the claims filed. The complaint has not yet been referred to the US Ski & Snowboard Federation and we have not been able to fully address it. The Federation will remain an organization that prioritizes safety, health and well-being. their athletes and staff,” the union said in a statement.
The Olympic and Paralympic Committee said they could not comment on the details of the lawsuit because they had not yet been able to consider it.
Source: AB