USOC eyes new CEO soon, gymnastics probe results in months

AFP  |  Washington 

The expects to have a new within weeks and results by summer's end from an independent investigation into its handling of a gymnastics sex abuse scandal.

and acting updated the status of the situations Friday after a board of directors meeting in Washington, where another hearing before US lawmakers is expected next month in the wake of the Larry scandal.

"We're in a period of transition and evolution," Lyons said.

"We've had a chance to look in the mirror and see how we should interact" with athletes and national sport governing bodies.

Former resigned in February after growing pressure about his handling of sexual assault allegations against former US gymnastics team doctor

is serving what is likely a life sentence for sexual assault after more than 250 women accused him of sexual abuse perpetrated under the guise of medical treatment, many of them while they were young Olympians.

Many athletes have questioned the USOC for not doing more sooner to protect safety.

Probst said in February at the Pyeongchang that no personnel changes would be made until a firm completes its probe into how the USOC responded to allegations of wrongdoing by Nassar.

"We think they are gettuing closer to the end of that investigation but we don't have a specific time frame," Probst said.

"We are thinking it will be before the end of the summer."

The USOC has spend nearly four months searching for a new leader, seeking an inspirational leader with strong communication skills to guide the organization into the future with a new emphasis on safety.

"We are making progress as we go through this process," Probst said.

"We hope to have this wrapped up in a couple of weeks, maybe less."

USOC officials met with US Senators Richard Blumenthal, and on their visit to the US capital, the lawmakers having conducted a hearing on the Nassar scandal last month with another expected in mid to late July.

"The tone of the meetings was forward looking and productive," Lyons said.

"They were interested in what progress we have made. The tone was more on a contructive path to let's make athletes safer in the future."

While has adopted or is in the process of adopting 82 percent of recommended changes from an independent panel analysis in the wake of the scandal, the need for a long-term culture change within the governing body remains vital, Lyons said.

"The culture change is probably going to be the longest and hardest," Lyons said. "We've discussed with them a culture of speaking up, not a culture of retribution.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, June 23 2018. 10:00 IST