3 former U.S. snowboarders sue coach, federation and Olympic committee for sex trafficking: reports
Two of the snowboarders are former Olympians
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Three former members of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team are suing their former coach, a national federation and its CEO and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for sex trafficking, harassment and enabling and covering up multiple acts of sexual assault and misconduct, according to multiple reports.
Olympians Rosey Fletcher and Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, along with Erin O'Malley, alleged in their lawsuit that Peter Foley, Gale "Tiger" Shaw and the USOPC "conspired and acted in concert with one another to commit unlawful acts."
The three women say Foley used his position of trust to "coerce sexual acts through force, manipulation, emotional abuse, intimidation and retaliation."
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Rosey Fletcher of the U.S. competes in the women's parallel giant slalom snowboard qualifying at Park City Mountain Resort during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in Utah. (Jamie Squire /Getty Image)
Fletcher, a 2006 Bronze medalist, claims Foley sexually assaulted her when she was 19 and again at a post-race event at the Olympics. O'Malley said Foley also sexually assaulted her at sanctioned competitions and in an elevator in front of Fletcher, while mentally and verbally abusing her at age 15.
"Foley began groping Erin and forcibly trying to kiss her — all without her consent," the lawsuit said. "For nearly 20 years, coaches and executives at both organizations enabled Foley's behavior, refused to act and helped cover up Foley's behavior, allowing him to continue his pattern of abuse."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chythlook-Sifsof says she was raped by a male coach "nearly three times her age from an opposing team" during the 2005 world junior championships in 2005 when she was 16.
Callan Chythlook-Sifsof of the U.S. descends the course as she finished sixth during women's snowboard cross qualification at the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup Dec. 15, 2010, in Telluride, Colo. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
A former federation employee, Lindsey Nikola, said in a separate lawsuit Thursday that Foley "sexually harassed and sexually assaulted" her and forced her to take nude photos in hotel rooms at two World Cup ski races.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Had the USSS taken the safety of their young athletes and employees seriously, Foley's behavior could have been prevented," the lawsuits say.
Rosey Fletcher of the U.S. competes on her way to the bronze medal in the women's snowboard parallel giant slalom finals at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games Feb. 23, 2006, in Bardonecchia, Italy. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Foley was fired by the USSS in March, shortly after ESPN investigated the crimes.