AES Newsletter 002
As you may already know, Athletes for Equity in Sport is working daily toward achieving substantive change in SafeSport procedures. This means legally defining the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s rights and duties.
What We’ve Been Doing
The members of Athletes for Equity in Sport (AES), along with our legal counsel, are actively engaged in this endeavor. For the past 30 weeks, we have sent letters to Congress — 535 weekly letters in all, every week for 7-1/2 months.
The replies received in response to AES’ letter-writing campaign have been very encouraging. Leaders in TOP positions in Washington, D.C., are very concerned about the lack of constitutional rights afforded by the current SafeSport process.
AES will continue this mail campaign until SafeSport procedures become fair and impartial, affording equity to both parties involved in SafeSport claims.
We’re Getting Results
As a result of our mail campaign, starting in February, face-to-face meetings are scheduled with Senators and Congressional Representatives in Washington, D.C. AES is also working with a lobbyist regarding currently pending national legislation S.2330, the Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2019.
This bill, which was introduced in the Senate last year, attempts to give athletes more control over the policies and procedures employed by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and SafeSport. Hence it is of maximum interest to AES.
At this time, there is not a companion bill in the House of Representatives. That’s good news, which AES will use to help accomplish our strategy for implementing necessary changes to SafeSport.
What Else We’re Doing
In addition, we are meeting monthly with major worldwide news organizations, whose journalists are becoming as uncomfortable as we are with the unconstitutional ways of SafeSport. So far in February, AES representatives have been interviewed by two more sports magazines, for articles to be published this Spring.
Meanwhile, with the help of counsel and the members of AES, we have mapped out various legal strategies. These will be launched at appropriate intervals via a three-pronged approach:
1. Legislation
2. Litigation
3. Education
An announcement will be made this Spring regarding AES education, including more facts about how SafeSport really functions plus details on social services, also known as “wraparound” services.
Save the Date: AES’ Third Public Information Session
To date, AES has held two public information sessions, each featuring athletes involved in the SafeSport process along with their representatives. These participants shared their firsthand experience of navigating SafeSport’s inconsistent and poorly constructed protocols, which in practice are very different from what SafeSport has publicly stated in recorded presentations or put in writing.
On March 2, 2020, AES will hold our third public information presentation. Our featured presenters are athletes, coaches, and attorneys involved in SafeSport cases. They will speak from their firsthand experience and knowledge of the prosecution’s bias toward any report, be it legitimate not. The number of false reports and manipulation of the SafeSport process grows monthly.
Please note March 2 on your calendar! We’ll send you more details soon.
AES is Growing Fast
AES membership has grown by 200 members since January. Furthermore, the number of sports adding their support grows weekly, including cycling, boxing, wrestling, equestrian sports, skating, and gymnastics. Participants in all of these sports — and more — are joining AES as members, providing testimonials, and attending our information sessions.
In addition, owners and coaches are realizing their vulnerability and supporting AES’ efforts to improve SafeSport procedures for the protection of ALL participants in Olympic sports.
Going forward, AES is closely watching more national governing body (NGB) cases, including USOPC X HEARING for Appeal and others. When more information about these becomes available, we will share it with you.
What You Can Do
Please continue your efforts as well. To become a member of Athletes for Equity, click JOIN US at AthletesForEquity.org. For updated letter and article postings, click on NEWS & TESTIMONIALS. Contact us with any comments or questions: [email protected].
You can also help by Liking us on Facebook (Athletes for Equity in Sport) and donating via AES’ GoFundMe page.
Athletes for Equity in Sport is dedicated to an equitable SafeSport process: one that is fair and impartial for both the reporter and the accused. Only by achieving this equity do we protect all of our athletes.
Thank you to all of our members and donors. Your support is making it possible for AES to bring about much-needed changes in SafeSport procedures and policies. Together, we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
The Executive Group Athletes for Equity in Sport
AthletesForEquity.org
Facebook: Athletes for Equity in Sport
GoFundMe: Athletes for Equity in Sport