Alright, USA Swimming.
Yes, you should apologize. Step up the protection of
our youth and ban these idiots who think they can
get their jollies out on the youth of America.
Do not become like the catholic church and try to sweep
this BS under the rug. Take charge and accept the problems
and DEAL WITH IT!
What really has to happen, is reporting.
By swimmers, parents, co-coaches and any other observer of behavior that is even subtly off.
No athlete should feel as though they can not report abuse - ever again.
Parents and coaches have to continue to talk and explain to the kids so they understand there is help if anything is wrong.
On the flip side, those swimmers who have never experienced abuse by a
swim coach need to begin a strong voice for the good and the great aspects of our sport.
Great Post Ahelee. Parents aren't parenting anymore. Where was the "don't ever let anyone touch you there" talk? Not trying to remove blame from the coaches that did this, but especially today's parents are really letting down their kids by being their friend and not their parent.
A few years ago a swimmer got mad at one of my coaches (I swim with an age group team) because he he was going to tell her parents something. So she told her parents that he touched her and she left the team. Truth was she was cutting her self and the coach said to tell her parents. How sick is that? So it can go both ways.
This is exactly what I am worried about, especially since I coach teenagers. I believe I have been raised right and trained appropriately to avoid situations as described in the 20/20 piece. However, there's a line in the USA Swimming Code of Conduct that basically says when it comes to crimes of a sexual nature, you're guilty until proven innocent. It's a bit disconcerting.
What really has to happen, is reporting.
By swimmers, parents, co-coaches and any other observer of behavior that is even subtly off.
No athlete should feel as though they can not report abuse - ever again.
Parents and coaches have to continue to talk and explain to the kids so they understand there is help if anything is wrong.
On the flip side, those swimmers who have never experienced abuse by a
swim coach need to begin a strong voice for the good and the great aspects of our sport.
Great Post Ahelee. Parents aren't parenting anymore. Where was the "don't ever let anyone touch you there" talk? Not trying to remove blame from the coaches that did this, but especially today's parents are really letting down their kids by being their friend and not their parent.
A few years ago a swimmer got mad at one of my coaches (I swim with an age group team) because he he was going to tell her parents something. So she told her parents that he touched her and she left the team. Truth was she was cutting her self and the coach said to tell her parents. How sick is that? So it can go both ways.
This is exactly what I am worried about, especially since I coach teenagers. I believe I have been raised right and trained appropriately to avoid situations as described in the 20/20 piece. However, there's a line in the USA Swimming Code of Conduct that basically says when it comes to crimes of a sexual nature, you're guilty until proven innocent. It's a bit disconcerting.
