The latest demonstration by Congress that it has at least some interest in holding the U.S. Olympic movement to account for sexual abuse and other problems was called the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020. That set in motion a report by a Commission on the State of Olympics and Paralympics. The commission may or may not make its revised deadline of September of this year to complete its report — but that may be the least of the credibility challenges it faces.
Last month the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee's Athletes' Advisory Council (AAC), through an ad hoc group it created called the Athlete Task Force, solicited comments for forwarding to the commission. An email message presumably sent to thousands of athletes said, "Email [email protected] and we can connect you directly to the Commission to confidentially share your feedback and experience of being an elite athlete in the Movement." The council also tweeted the message, including the names of the task force members.
