International Swimming Hall of Fame CEO: Women’s Sports Foundation’s Anti-Chuck Wielgus Petition ‘Raises Disturbing, Grave Questions’

by Irvin Muchnick

SwimSwam.com has a good, thorough account of the swimming sex abuse survivors’ petition protesting the International Swimming Hall of Fame induction of Chuck Wielgus, CEO of USA Swimming. See http://swimswam.com/womens-sports-foundation-protests-wielgus-hof-induction-group-past-usa-swimming-presidents-push-back/.

The article notes that, although Wielgus did not comment, a group of past USA Swimming board presidents “pushed back” with a statement supportive of him.

Nancy Hogshead-Makar of the Women’s Sports Foundation points out that the presidents’ statement does not dispute the facts in the petition, and adds:

“… It is not admirable leadership to move an organization that is under pressure from a Congressional investigation, an FBI investigation, lawsuits and constant media scrutiny. Instead, it takes leadership to avoid that level of inquiry.”
ISHOF head Bruce Wigo told SwimSwam: “The petition raises disturbing, grave questions that we take most seriously. The International Swimming Hall of Fame has great compassion and empathy for all survivors of sexual abuse and we are fully supportive of any effort that helps make our sport safe for young athletes. We have received and currently are reviewing the petition.”

PREVIOUSLY:

WOMEN’S SPORTS FOUNDATION COORDINATES SEX ABUSE VICTIMS’ PROTEST OF USA SWIMMING CHIEF CHUCK WIELGUS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

Full Text of Sex Abuse Survivors’ and Women’s Sports Foundation’s Petition to the International Swimming Hall of Fame Regarding USA Swimming Chief Chuck Wielgus

Big Names and Courageous Voices in Women’s Sports Foundation Campaign to Keep USA Swimming Chief Sex Abuse Cover-Up Artist Chuck Wielgus Out of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming’s Executive Director of a Generation of Sex Abuse Cover-Ups, Belongs in the Hall of Justice – Certainly Not the Hall of Fame