A two-time Paralympic gold medalist groomed and sexually abused an intellectually disabled teammate on the 2020 Tokyo Video games and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Coaching Heart in Colorado, in accordance with a disturbing lawsuit that additional accuses sports activities officers of ignoring complaints and warning indicators.
The swimsuit alleges that swimmer Robert Griswold “maliciously focused and groomed” fellow athlete Parker Egbert, securing his and his mother and father’ belief earlier than repeatedly raping Egbert whereas they roomed collectively within the Olympic Village and later in Colorado.
Egbert required surgical procedure and steady medical care following the sexual assaults, in accordance with the lawsuit filed Friday within the U.S. District Court docket for Colorado.
“This case is a horrific tragedy, the place a younger man who defied all odds to turn into a world-class Paralympic swimmer had his life completely shattered by rape and abuse when he was paired with a group member who was a violent sexual predator,” the 63-page grievance states.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the U.S. Heart for SafeSport, a nonprofit that works to forestall abuse and misconduct in Olympic and Paralympic sports activities, are additionally named defendants within the swimsuit.
Griswold and each organizations didn't instantly reply to HuffPost’s requests for remark Monday.
The organizations are accused of permitting the abuse by ignoring earlier reviews that Griswold, now 25, had sexually assaulted different teammates previous to rooming with Egbert, now 19, in 2021.
“Defendants USOPC and SafeSport had precise data of a number of prior cases, or at minimal credible allegations, of bodily, verbal, and sexual abuse perpetrated by Griswold, but turned a blind eye and/or conspired to cover-up such allegations, on every event,” the swimsuit states.
As soon as behind closed doorways, Griswold allegedly raped, bullied and verbally and bodily abused Egbert, who's described as having the psychological capability of a 5-year-old, whereas threatening that if he advised anybody, Egbert “would get in bother” and “the police would come.”
One other athlete, who was not recognized within the swimsuit, allegedly witnessed a few of the bodily, verbal and sexual assaults in 2021 and punched a wall in anger. The abuse was not reported, nevertheless, as a result of Griswold reported the alleged witness’ outburst and acquired them into bother, in accordance with the swimsuit.
It wasn’t till late spring of 2022, after Egbert wrote a narrative about “a robust hurricane referred to as Hurricane Robert,” that his mother and father mentioned they started to study concerning the abuse. The teenager advised his mother and father that the “monster” in his story was Griswold and that Griswold had been hurting him, although he didn’t initially describe the abuse as sexual, in accordance with the swimsuit.
Egbert’s mother and father mentioned they expressed their issues to USOPC however that Griswold was not investigated by the committee, which assured them that Egbert was effective and that Griswold posed no threat. Later, when Egbert was on a video name along with his mother, he broke down crying, detailing a few of the bodily abuse, in accordance with the lawsuit.
“When she requested Plaintiff if he was okay, he instantly shook his head ‘no’ and started to cry uncontrollably. Plaintiff then advised his mom that Defendant Griswold had shaken him violently, inflicting him to hit his head on the wall,” the swimsuit states.
Egbert’s mother and father contacted the coach of U.S. Paralympics Swimming and demanded that he file a report with SafeSport. After the coach filed the report, Egbert’s mother and father mentioned, their son shared extra graphic particulars concerning the abuse he had endured, prompting them to take away him from the Olympic & Paralympic Coaching Heart in Colorado Springs.
“Plaintiff’s mother and father sat and listened to their son describe outrageous conduct that may horrify any father or mother,” the swimsuit states. “Since his return dwelling, Plaintiff has repeatedly advised his mother and father ‘thanks for saving me from’ Griswold, nevertheless, to today, Plaintiff stays fearful that Griswold ‘is aware of the place they reside’ and ‘goes to kill [him].’”
Griswold was suspended from Olympic coaching and competing occasions in August 2022 and later eliminated as a member of the 2022 Nationwide Staff, in accordance with the swimsuit.
A USOPC spokesperson advised The Washington Put up that it has positioned two workers members on administrative depart following the grievance and has stopped the work of a number of contractors with U.S. Paralympics Swimming.
“We’re additionally persevering with our investigation of the allegations to assist us decide the info, and we're dedicated to taking acceptable motion,” the spokesperson mentioned in an announcement.
The Colorado Springs Police Division has additionally confirmed to The Put up that it has an “open and lively investigation” associated to Griswold.
Need assistance? Go to RAINN’s Nationwide Sexual Assault On-line Hotline or the Nationwide Sexual Violence Useful resource Heart’s web site.
Post a Comment