The chief executive of the United States Olympic Committee is stepping down from his position, according to the Washington Post. The USOC announced Scott Blackmun is leaving on Wednesday, following January's trial that engulfed USA Gymnastics in a seemingly endless sexual abuse scandal.
Blackmun has lead the USOC for eight years. He also helmed the committee as dozens of sexual assault allegations surfaced against USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, some coming from medal-winning Olympic athletes including Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and more.
In a statement from the organization, Blackmun’s health is cited as the main cause of his decision to leave. The 60-year-old is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. “Given Scott’s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership so that we can immediately address the urgent initiatives ahead of us,” USOC Chairman Larry Probst said. “The important work that Scott started needs to continue and will require especially vigorous attention in light of Larry Nassar’s decades-long abuse of athletes affiliated with USA Gymnastics.”
While USOC has opened an internal investigation into the abuse orchestrated by Nassar, many, including Raisman, have blamed the committee in part for allowing the sexual misconduct to continue for so long, and are calling for an independent investigation into both USAG and USOC.
This departure follows last month's news that the entire USA Gymnastics board resigned per the demands of the USOC. Nassar, who has been accused of criminal sexual misconduct by approximately 256 women and girls, was sentence to up to 175 years in prison.
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