Hearing of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation - Opening Statement of Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hearing on "Olympic Abuse: The Role of National Governing Bodies in Protecting Our Athletes"

Hearing

The faces and voices that we're going to see and hear today give new meaning to the words courage and sacrifice. A year and a half ago you stepped forward along with others to give those faces and voices to a cause which continues to shock us and to sadden the nation. There's very little these days that seems to shock this nation, but your experiences and others that have been recounted now still elicit that emotion, fortunately.

The survivors of abuse across Olympic sports deserve our thanks, and I have one message for the folks who are testifying today. It is the gratitude of our nation, our Senate, our Committee for coming forward and continuing to be part of this effort for reform. It has to be continuing crusade. This hearing is just one more step. I want to thank Chairman Moran, and the Chairman of our committee, Senator Thune, as well as the Ranking Member, Senator Nelson for giving us this authority and platform to move forward.

How was this abuse allowed to continue over so many years? What systemically allowed it to happen? And how can we prevent it from happening to any athlete again? Not only in gymnastics but now as we're learning in other sports where young people can be victimized by predators who have so shocked the nation.

A number of young athletes in your position felt that speaking out would mean the end of their careers, their reputations, and their opportunity for Olympic glory. Some were discouraged, or told that they could not be helped.

Circumstances reached a level that even elite athletes suffering abuse were afraid to speak out. How do we create a system that encourages truth telling -- speaking truth to power, rather than hiding it?

Two of those courageous voices are here today, Olympic medalists Jordyn Wieber and Jamie Dantzscher. Ms. Wieber is a 2012 gold medalist and member of what the media dubbed the "Fierce Five." Ms. Dantzscher is a 2000 bronze medalist. These awards are athletic distinctions for ability and perseverance and hard work, but they deserve medals for courage and stamina in speaking out and standing up and their courage in testifying numerous times, not just here.

I would like to thank McKayla Maroney as well, she's a 2012 gold medalist and a member of the Fierce Five, for her courage in submitting her written testimony for the official record. Her experience also points to systemic problems that need to be addressed because they will enable continued abuse.

I want to say very bluntly -- of particular concern to me are the reports that the USAG actively sought to silence Ms. Maroney with a non-disclosure agreement in response to a lawsuit she filed against the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics, and Michigan State University. Their multiple organizational failures to "properly investigate, discipline or remove" abusers after complaints of sexual abuse are absolutely unconscionable.

This non-disclosure agreement shows the hazards and dangers and damage that can be caused by those kinds of enforced concealment agreements. It would impose a $100,000 fine if the victim were to violate its confidentiality clause by speaking out about the sexual abuse. As Chairman Moran has mentioned, as we continue this investigation, we are seeking answers about Ms. Maroney's story and others that have been silenced.

Across numerous Olympic sports, there are stories of young athletes who have been victimized and have survived physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It's an undeniable reality. We want to fight it, and correct it, and prevent it from happening again. And again, my thanks to Chairman Moran, and Chairman Thune, and Ranking Member Nelson and most important, thank you to the survivors for your incredible courage in sharing your experiences and your stories and supporting others who have done so as well.

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