Sweeping U.S. Olympic reform legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) became law on Oct. 30 with the president’s signature.
The bipartisan, bicameral Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020, S. 2330, which Sen. Moran introduced in July 2019 with lead cosponsor U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), establishes safeguards to protect amateur athletes from abuse, including sexual abuse, by coaches and employees in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sports, according to the congressional record bill summary. U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced the identical bill, H.R. 7881, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“We will make certain this law is being implemented to the fullest extent and continue to hold accountable the institutions that have the responsibility to keep our athletes safe,” Sens. Moran and Blumenthal said in a joint statement released on Oct. 31.
The lawmakers unveiled the bill following an 18-month investigation into systemic abuse within the U.S. Olympic industry.
“This law would not be possible were it not for the athletes and courageous survivors who traveled to Washington, shared their stories and demanded change so that future generations of athletes can train, compete and succeed without fear of abuse,” said Sens. Moran and Blumenthal. “We are grateful to our colleagues, athlete advocates and the many survivors who helped create and advocate for this law to bring about change in the Olympic movement and allowed us to keep our promise to the survivors to get this bill across the finished line.”
The legislation had 15 other cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Cory Gardner (R-CO).