Moran introduces sweeping bipartisan reforms of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) recently sponsored bipartisan legislation to reform the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.   

Sen. Moran on July 30 introduced the Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019, S. 2330, with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), which would provide congressional oversight of the board of directors of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and would protect amateur athletes from emotional, physical and sexual abuse, according to the bill’s text. 

The culmination of an 18-month investigation conducted jointly by Sens. Moran and Blumenthal, S. 2330 would “empower and protect Olympic and amateur athletes through three key reforms,” according to a joint statement the lawmakers released.

“First and foremost, our legislation will implement requirements to promote a culture where athletes and their best interests are put first. Second, it will ensure greater transparency and accountability throughout the amateur sports movement, and, third, it will fortify the independence and capabilities of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the body responsible for investigating allegations of sexual abuse against athletes and coaches,” said the senators.

If enacted, S. 2330 would give athletes a seat at the decision-making table and increase their representation on governing boards, committees and panels to help identify problematic policies and practices faster, while prioritizing athlete-centric solutions, according to a summary provided by the senators.

S. 2330 also would, among myriad provisions, bolster resources for the U.S. Center for SafeSport; strengthen and codify reporting mandates for adults with knowledge of any allegation of child abuse of an amateur athlete; and protect individuals who report emotional, physical, or sexual abuse of an athlete from retaliation within the Olympic movement, the summary says.

The bill’s release is just one year out from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

“We will get this bill across the finish line,” said the senators, who want to ensure that all athletes “may be able to participate in the sport they love without fear of abuse.”