Snowboarding: three American women attack their ex-coach for sexual assault and assault

Erin O’Malley, Callan Chythlook-Sifsof and Rosey Fletcher, bronze medalist at the 2006 Olympic Games, were heard in court in Los Angeles this Thursday, February 2. They are suing their former coach, Peter Foley, for “sexual assault” and “assault and injury” as well as the ski and snowboard federation (USSS) and the National Olympic Committee. Authorities responsible, according to them and court documents, for having covered these practices “for more than 20 years”. The deposition explains that “Foley’s actions have been repeatedly reported to the management of the USSS and the USOPC by several athletes who have been trained by him, but no action has been taken to date”.

Facts that affect all sports

The coach was also suspended from his duties by the committee in charge of the investigation in March 2022. The facts date back to the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s. The athletes highlight the position of ascending psychology of their former coach. He would have used this superiority to abuse them, “force them into sexual acts” by “force, manipulation, psychological violence, intimidation and the threat of reprisals”. These lawsuits follow the investigations carried out by the American Center for SafeSport carried out since 2017. Hundreds of coaches have been suspended or sanctioned over the past six years in various disciplines such as swimming, athletics or even the gym.