Decisive Action Unleashed on Ex-U.S. Olympic Snowboarding Coach Following Serious Allegations After Nearly 30 Years of Service

A shocking piece of news has come forward from the world of snowboarding. The online database of the U.S. Center for SafeSport reveals that a long-time snowboarding coach has been suspended after serious allegations were made against him. Peter Foley has served the U.S. Olympic team for about 28 years. However, after the allegations, he was suspended from being a part of any Olympic or Paralympic team. The suspension comes after an 18-month-long investigation by the center into alleged sexual misconduct.

The investigations began when Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, who was a part of the 2010 Olympic team, voiced her silence against Peter Foley on social media. She detailed the inappropriate conduct that, according to her, she and other female members of the team had to suffer through due to Foley. The accusations have been vehemently denied by the snowboarding coach since they were made public.

Snowboarding coach accused of improper conduct by Olympic team members

Along with Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, two other female team members, namely Rosey Fletcher and Erin O’Malley have also come forward with their own claims. The female snowboarding professionals have also filed a lawsuit against Peter Foley. According to them, he violated their dignity and privacy through physical overtures and even took inappropriate pictures of team members. While Foley has constantly denied the allegation, he was placed on administrative leave after the 2022 Winter Olympics by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

However, in March 2022, he was fired from his position as coach, which he held for 28 years. While USA Today tried to reach Foley for a comment on the situation, the same could not be attained. However, an attorney representing the women in their lawsuit has revealed that he is facing a 10-year suspension followed by a 5-year probation. After the suspension of Peter Foley, the three female members of the snowboarding team came forward to express their views on the action taken by SafeSport. According to a report by USA Today, they said, “For survivors of assault and harassment, being able to hold your abuser accountable is not always a given.”

Encouraged by the supportive act of the organization, they further said, “While this process has been painful, we are gratified that SafeSport has finally issued a ruling helping us remove a predator from his position of power over young women for the next ten years.” As per media reports, the members of the Olympic snowboarding team described Peter Foley as “the Kingmaker and Queenmaker of the sport.” With the influence Foley exerted, the allegations come as a shock to the community.

The final verdict

Even though SafeSport has announced the suspension of Peter Foley, the decision is subject to appeal to a higher authority. The decision was announced on Tuesday, and Foley has 10 days to make his next move. In March 2022, Peter Foley’s attorney, Howard Jacobs, gave a statement to ESPN on his behalf. In the statement, the attorney said, “Any allegations of sexual misconduct being made against [Foley] are false.” U.S. Ski and Snowboard, on the other hand, was in favor of the action taken against the snowboarding coach.

Read more: “They’re Dangerous”: Resurfaced Video Shows People Terrified of Snowboarding Long Before It Became an Olympic Sport

According to a report by ESPN, the organization was of the view, “…strongly believes that there is no place in sport for abuse and misconduct, and we support [SafeSport’s] mission to end abuse on behalf of athletes everywhere.” Peter Foley has been a coach with the snowboarding team since it was created in 1994. He has coached the team for 7 Olympics. The snowboarding team members coached by him have a total medal count of 35. However, till a concrete conclusion comes out of the situation, Foley will not be able to participate in events.

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