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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USA Gymnastics leader who revived federation after Nassar scandal stepping down
USA Gymnastics leader who revived federation after Nassar scandal stepping down USA Gymnastics president Li Li Leung, who restored the federation to respectability after it had lost the trust of its athletes, sponsors and the general public in the wake of a horrific sex abuse scandal and its own missteps, is leaving. Leung announced Thursday that she will step down at the end of the year. USA Gymnastics has already hired CAA Executive Search to find her replacement. 'The opportunity to lead USA Gymnastics has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime,' Leung said in a statement. 'Thanks to the dedication of the entire gymnastics community, we are now in an incredible position as we turn our attention to the L.A. Olympic Games. 'The last several months have been a time of great reflection, and I know that now is the right time to pass the torch to the next leader, with the sport and organization thriving,' she added. 'I wanted to ensure the board has the opportunity to conduct a thorough search and also give my successor a long runway into the 2028 Olympic Games.' A former gymnast, Leung was a longtime NBA executive when USA Gymnastics hired her in early 2019. The job at the time seemed as thankless as it did impossible. USA Gymnastics was still reeling from the revelations three years earlier that former team and Michigan State physician Larry Nassar had sexually abused Olympic champion Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and hundreds of other girls and young women, often under the guise of medical treatment. USA Gymnastics was facing a lawsuit from Nassar's survivors, sponsors had fled and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee had started the process to decertify the federation. Leung moved quickly to try and restore trust in the organization, apologizing to the survivors and acknowledging that USA Gymnastics' harsh culture had fostered the environment that allowed Nassar and physically abusive coaches to prey on athletes. She overhauled the federation's management team — nearly 70% of the staff has turned over — and initiated a culture centered around the athletes. USA Gymnastics established an Athlete Bill of Rights in December 2020 and created a program that provides mental health visits for athletes and coaches. It was one of the first federations in the Olympic movement to have therapy dogs at its competitions, a practice that has now spread. As part of a $380 million settlement reached in 2021, Nassar survivors now have a permanent seat on the USA Gymnastics board. The USOPC also dropped its decertification efforts as part of the settlement. USA Gymnastics is by no means perfect. There are still complaints of a lack of transparency and insensitivity, and Biles said someone from the federation referred to her as a 'gold-medal token' at the Tokyo Olympics. But no one can deny the federation has made tremendous strides under Leung's leadership, with even Biles acknowledging the cultural change. That's also been reflected in the return of big-name sponsors. That includes Nike, which has a five-year deal with the federation that runs through Los Angeles. 'Li Li was the right leader at the right time for USA Gymnastics and accomplished in six years what many thought was not possible,' Kathryn Carson, chair of USA Gymnastics' board, said in a statement. 'Her deep passion for gymnastics and extraordinary dedication to leading transformation has positioned USA Gymnastics to move boldly toward LA28.' Leung isn't sure what she'll do next, saying she's going to take some time 'to reset' before she decides. 'I look forward to USA Gymnastics accomplishing great things in 2025 and beyond,' she said.
NBC Sports
25-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Milan Cortina Olympics International Roadshow highlights inclusivity, logistical feat of 2026 Winter Games
Thousands of miles from the site of next year's Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina, the Italian delegation met with representatives of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee at the Italian Consulate in New York City to build excitement for the 2026 Games. After stops in Munich and Paris earlier this year, New York was the only U.S. stop on the Roadshow. The meeting served as an opportunity to further strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Italy in the buildup to the Winter Games. The event was organized by the Milan Cortina Foundation (officially, La Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026) in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several other Italian governing bodies. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics are scheduled for February 6-22, 2026, and March 6-15, 2026, respectively. Before enjoying prosciutto and prosecco, institutional representatives and key figures from both countries emphasized the opportunity for these Games to represent not only sport at its highest level, but also unprecedented logistical coordination. That coordination will be paramount at the 2026 Winter Games as Milan and Cortina will become the first cities to officially co-host an Olympics. All events will take place across northern Italy over three main regions: Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. 'The sport lights of the whole world will be in our cities, and we will demonstrate how sport can be a driver of sustainable development, economic growth, and social inclusion,' Vice President and Councilor for Budget and Finance of the Lombardy Region Marco Alparone said. Emily Iannaconi Though the 2026 Winter Games present unique logistical challenges, Italy is no stranger to hosting the Olympics. The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics will mark the fourth time Italy has hosted the Games. Italy was home to the Winter Games twice before – in Cortina in 1956 and Torino in 2006 – and hosted the summer Games in Rome in 1960. This will be Italy's second time hosting the Paralympic Winter Games (2006 Torino) and its third time hosting the Paralympics overall. Italy served as the host of the first-ever Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960. 'It is an honor for us to host, here in New York, the International Roadshow, which is not only a window into what will be next year's major world event, but something bigger,' Italian Consul General in New York City, Fabrizio di Michele said. 'I don't want to sound rhetorical, but the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will carry a message of peace, equality, internationality and fair play. Values that are and will forever be the true essence of the Games.' The Italian delegation also included Andrea Varnier, CEO of Fondazione Milano Cortina and Nicola Polito, COO of Trentino Marketing. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement was represented by United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Chair Gene Sykes, along with Sarah Hughes and Declan Farmer. Hughes won a gold medal in figure skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and Farmer is a Paralympic champion in sled hockey. Italian American journalist Mario Platero moderated the panel. A post shared by Sarah Hughes (@sarahhughesnyc) There have been many changes since the last time Italy hosted a Winter Games. In Torino in 2006, 2,508 athletes competed across 84 events in seven different sports. In 2026, approximately 2,900 athletes are expected to compete in 116 events across 16 sports, up from 109 events across 15 sports at the 2024 Beijing Games. There will be one new sport in the 2026 Winter Games – ski mountaineering – and eight new events across ski mountaineering, freestyle skiing, luge, ski jumping and skeleton. The Paralympics have also expanded since Italy last hosted. In 2006, 474 para-athletes contested 58 medal events across five sports. At the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympics, there will be 79 events across six sports compared to 78 events in six sports in Beijing. There will be one new event: mixed doubles in wheelchair curling. About 665 athletes are expected to compete from approximately 50 delegations. Polito (of Trentino marketing) explained what makes the Trentino region uniquely positioned to host some of these events. Nick Zaccardi, 'Trentino is a paradise for sport lovers,' Polito said. 'Sport is part of our region's culture, supported by excellent facilities and strong organization. In Trentino, sport is a way of life, that is practiced all year round, whether it is climbing, hiking or biking, everyone can find their favorite activity here. Now we are very excited to have the chance to host cross-country skiing competitions, ski jumping competitions and Nordic combined next February, and then para cross-country and para biathlon in March'. Enthusiasm for the Games is already building. According to Varnier, more than half of the tickets for the Olympics have been sold, and the U.S. is third among nations with the highest number of tickets bought. Varnier added that they have received volunteer applications from over 100,000 people, many of whom are from the United States. With the U.S. stop complete, the International Roadshow will travel to Tokyo, Oslo, Stockholm, Seoul and Beijing in the coming months to continue to spread enthusiasm for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. 'These Games will be a model of sustainability and at the same time they will leave a lasting legacy for future generations,' Alparone said. 'The Lombardy region and Italy are ready to welcome the world with passion and professionalism.'
New York Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Norwegian athletes warned against eating meat in China over drug test fears
Norwegian track and field athletes say they have been advised to not eat meat when competing in China due to fears over testing positive for a banned substance. Henriette Jaeger, the national record holder in the 400m, explained that Norway's Olympic federation had encouraged her to avoid meat ahead of athletics events in China. Unn Merete Jaeger, her coach and mother, added this was due to concerns over the use of growth hormones in cattle farming. Advertisement Reuters reported Norway's elite sport organisation, Olympiatoppen, which forms part of the country's Olympic and Paralympic Committee, has stated in its guidelines that it advises its athletes to avoid 'all types of meat' in China due to the risk of accidentally ingesting the banned substance clenbuterol. Olympiatoppen confirmed this was the case when approached by The Athletic. Clenbuterol can increase metabolism and maximum heart rate, and is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as a prohibited substance. Jaeger won 400m world indoor bronze in Nanjing, China in March. The 2025 World Athletics Relays take place in Guangzhou on May 10 and 11, while there is a Diamond League meeting in Shanghai on May 3. 'Before we left, we were advised by the Olympic team to try and avoid meat as much as possible,' Jaeger told Norwegian state broadcaster NRK. Josefine Tomine Eriksen, who was part of Norway's 4 x 400m relay team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, added: 'We won't eat meat. I don't want to be a 'veggie', but you have to have some protein, so I'll bring some protein bars from Norway. Maybe some beef jerky.' The Athletic has contacted Olympiatoppen, World Athletics and the Chinese Athletics Association for comment. In July last year, ahead of the Paris Olympics, WADA said it was investigating the risk of meat contamination with banned steroid metandienone in China and elsewhere. This followed two swimmers, a shooter and a BMX rider testing positive for the substance in 2022 and 2023, before being cleared by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA), which concluded the four cases were linked to meat contamination. The four athletes had been provisionally suspended before CHINADA closed the cases in late 2023, WADA said. WADA added that it was 'concerned' about the number of cases in China and other countries that were being closed without sanctions due to the food contamination theory. Advertisement WADA has also previously cited Mexico as a country which has had issues with food contamination. American sprinter Shelby Houlihan received a four-year ban in 2021 after testing positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone, which she said was most likely after eating pig offal from an authentic Mexican food truck in Oregon.
Reuters
05-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Philanthropist Ross Stevens to pay U.S. Olympians $200K
March 5 - Philanthropist Ross Stevens made a $100 million donation to support United States Olympic and Paralympic athletes with a post-retirement plan worth up to $200,000 per participant. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said Wednesday the gift was the largest single monetary donation in the history of the organization. Stevens launched the fund to reward American athletes for sacrificing other opportunities to train for an opportunity to represent Team USA. "Team USA athletes, extraordinary individuals, have proven they can achieve greatness and represent our incredible country with pride," Stevens said in a statement. "The Stevens Awards honor the sacrifices they have made on behalf of all Americans while inspiring the development of their dreams in the post-Games chapter of their lives." Several athletes at the 2024 Paris Games said the perception of sponsorship and endorsement payments sustaining amateurs is accurate only for the best known of Team USA members, such as gymnast Simone Biles or swimmer Katie Ledecky. An estimated 90 percent of Team USA athletes participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games are paid only small stipends and describe economic stability as "paycheck to paycheck." All Team USA athletes would be eligible to receive the "Stevens Financial Security Award," the USOPC said. A one-time Olympic participant is eligible to receive $100,000 over a four-year period 20 years after their qualifying Games or when they turn 45, whichever is later. A two-time U.S. Olympian or Paralympics athlete would be eligible for $400,000 in post-career benefits, increasing another $200,000 for a three-time participant to $600,000. Designated athlete beneficiaries also will receive $100,000 upon their death. "Because of Ross' extraordinary generosity and philanthropic creativity, we can create more than a financial safety net," USOPC chairman Gene Sykes said in a statement. "We can build a springboard that will propel these athletes to even greater heights beyond their Olympic and Paralympic careers." The USOPC is a "mission driven non-profit" and receives no government funding. Multiple US athletes said in Paris they pay five figures for coaching, lodging, food, gym access and related Olympics-training expenses. The most successful US athletes have made six-figure salaries using appearance fees, corporate sponsorship and other endorsements. Winning is the only other route to a guaranteed USOPC payment. Men's swimmer Caeleb Dressel received $187,500 total for his five Gold medals at the Tokyo Games. The USOPC pays Team USA medalists $37,500 for winning gold, $22,500 for silver and third-place or bronze finishers take home $15,000. The 2024 commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics & Paralympics found 26.5 percent of high-performance American athletes earn an annual total of less than $15,000 a year and more than one-third of athletes earn less than $25,000 per year.
Saudi Gazette
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Crown Prince and IOC President discuss aspects of enhancing cooperation
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Thomas Bach at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on the meeting, they discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the IOC, in a way that enhances the development and progress of the Olympic games in the Kingdom and around the reception was attended by Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Advisor at the Royal Court Dr. Fahd Tounsi, Governor of the Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and CEO and Secretary General of the Olympic and Paralympic Committee Abdulaziz Baeshen. Pere Miro, senior advisor to the IOC President, and Sir Miang, member of the IOC and head of the Working Group, also attended the meeting. Bach arrived in Riyadh on Friday on his fourth official visit to Saudi Arabia since his election in 2013. His visit underscores the strong partnership between the IOC and Saudi Arabia, particularly under Saudi Vision 2030, which has positioned the Kingdom as a global sports hub. This partnership includes hosting major events, such as the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, which were announced last year.
