The apology from Max Cobb, secretary general of the International Biathlon Union, was long overdue as he stepped forward to address allegations of athlete mistreatment at the U.S. Biathlon.
During a lengthy 90-minute Zoom meeting, Cobb expressed his regret to any athletes who suffered during his tenure with U.S. Biathlon, particularly focusing on issues of sexual misconduct. This meeting was prompted by multiple reports from the Associated Press detailing how athletes, primarily women, had been ignored or dismissed by officials who had prioritized medals over their well-being.
“I appreciate anyone who confronts issues, especially issues of sexual misconduct, whether it’s recent or historical. I think that's incredibly brave and important,” Cobb stated emphatically at the U.S. Biathlon Association's annual meeting. This indicated his recognition of the seriousness of the allegations and the need for transparency.
Highlighting the longstanding nature of the abuse claims, women athletes described a culture of neglect and mistreatment stretching back to the 1990s, which forced many of them to abandon their competitive careers prematurely. While those men who perpetuated the culture advanced within the sport, many women felt marginalized and invisible.
“I can say personally I am very sorry for any athlete who suffered any kind of mistreatment during my time working with U.S. Biathlon,” Cobb reiterated, as he conveyed the magnitude of their suffering. His acknowledgment came at a time when the U.S. Biathlon faced serious scrutiny following revelations of athletes' distress due to abusive coaching practices.
Among the poignant voices during the meeting was Grace Boutot, one of the athletes who expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of her case by the sports body. Following years of traumatic experiences including sexual abuse from coaches, Boutot revealed how the response she received from board members was insufficient.
“Other people were aware of what happened, and they did not reach out to me to investigate after my suicide attempt,” Boutot disclosed, drawing attention to the lack of accountability and investigation from U.S. Biathlon's board.
Drew Hudon, the vice president of the Colorado Biathlon Club, reflected on the deteriorated trust among U.S. Biathlon members, stating, “We just heard point-blank, crystal clear, they did know and did not investigate.” This highlighted significant concerns about the efficacy and integrity of the current board amid growing calls for decisive actions to address the past and present injustices faced by athletes.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s decision to place personnel on administrative leave, following reports involving Boutot's courage to speak out, underscored the urgency for systemic change. This was compounded by allegations from two-time Olympian Joan Wilder, who stated Cobb dismissed her own claims of attempted sexual assault, raising serious questions about the commitment to athlete safety at the highest levels.
Recent reports of another Olympian, Joanne Reid, who faced abuse and harassment over many years, indicated broader systemic issues. Reid, after reporting her case, was told the male behavior she experienced was standard within European culture, leading to retaliation rather than resolution. This has fed concerns about the organization’s oversight capabilities.
Following these revelations, SafeSport launched investigations not just on individual coaches and cases, but also on the upper leadership of the U.S. Biathlon, including CEO Jack Gierhart, addressing claims of retaliation against athletes speaking out.
An independent evaluation of the culture within U.S. Biathlon, conducted by auditor Vestry Laight, unveiled numerous instances of misogyny and suggested many athletes felt discouraged from reporting mistreatment due to fear of repercussions. At the meeting, oversight of fostering safety for athletes was again highlighted as Gierhart outlined plans to align with the auditor's recommendations to develop a more supportive environment.
“This is anongoing process — it's ajourney,” Gierhart mentioned, indicating the organization’s commitment to cultural transformation following the disturbing revelations. It emphasizes their intention to create sustainable change and prioritize athlete welfare moving forward.
While this meeting and Cobb’s public acknowledgment serve as initial steps toward accountability and recovery, the road to rebuilding trust and ensuring athlete safety is long and challenging for the U.S. Biathlon organization. Repeated calls for accountability and justice must prompt immediate actions rather than mere promises for change.
