Alen Hadzic, the U.S. fencer who went to the Tokyo Olympics as an alternate in spite of being under examination for sexual misbehavior, has actually been stated completely disqualified by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
The finding was released Tuesday, according to SafeSport’s central database, and likewise consists of no-contact regulations. Hadzic, who has actually formerly rejected the accusations, has 10 company days to appeal SafeSport’s finding.
” Undoubtedly, today’s outcome was the appropriate one. For the lots of ladies and ladies who courageously advance to report rapes and other sexual assault at the hands of this professional athlete. And for ladies at danger of future abuse by him,” Jack Wiener, the lawyer for numerous of the ladies who submitted grievances versus Hadzic, informed U.S.A. TODAY Sports.
” However the multi-year examination was far too long,” Wiener included. “Throughout that time, ladies in the fencing neighborhood were exposed to unneeded danger. Much work stays if SafeSport is to work as its creators meant.”
Hadzic’s case was thought about agent of a number of the drawbacks of SafeSport, the independent body entrusted by Congress with safeguarding professional athletes in the Olympic motion.
SafeSport momentarily suspended Hadzic in June 2021 after 3 ladies informed detectives he had actually devoted sexual misbehavior versus them in between 2013 and 2015. However he was permitted to go to Tokyo as an alternate on the U.S. epee group after an arbitrator reversed the suspension, and 3 colleagues used pink masks throughout a group picture in demonstration.
SafeSport’s examination took more than 2 years, and Hadzic had the ability to continue completing at particular occasions throughout that time. Wiener likewise stated SafeSport stopped working to keep him and his customers notified about the case or offer them with an acceptable description of why it was taking so long to solve.
” You have actually done absolutely no follow-up with my customers in the last 2 years that shows that you are doing any work at all to conclude your examination, take suitable action, and secure the neighborhood you were produced to secure. Absolutely no,” Wiener composed in an e-mail last month to Deanna Young, a SafeSport private investigator.
” You describe my ‘continued persistence.’ You misconstrue. I have no persistence any longer. This inactiveness on SafeSport’s part is untenable.”
U.S.A. Fencing, which dealt with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee on a “security strategy” to keep Hadzic far from other professional athletes in Tokyo, consisting of having him remain at a hotel, stated it was pleased the case is solved.
” The roadway to resolution of this matter has actually been long and difficult,” David Arias, chair of U.S.A. Fencing’s board, and Phil Andrews, the company’s CEO, stated in a declaration
” U.S.A. Fencing is happy that the Center has actually released a choice that offers clearness and assurance to our professional athletes, coaches and the fencing neighborhood,” Arias and Andrews stated. “Today’s choice by the Center ensures that conduct that is threatening, damaging or unsuitable towards anybody in our sport will not be endured.”