The secretary general of the International Biathlon Union issued an apology during a recent meeting regarding the treatment of athletes while he was with U.S. Biathlon. This 90-minute session was prompted by concerns over athlete safety highlighted in recent reports. Max Cobb expressed gratitude towards those who bravely come forward with allegations, especially relating to sexual misconduct. His comments were made during the annual meeting of the U.S. Biathlon Association, conducted via Zoom.
Cobb’s public acknowledgment marked his first response since an Associated Press report revealed troubling accounts from female athletes. They claimed that over several decades, officials either dismissed or overlooked instances of sexual harassment and abuse by coaches, prioritizing the pursuit of medals over the safety of athletes. As the men in leadership positions advanced within the sport, many of the women noted that they had to cut their racing careers short due to a persistently abusive environment, a culture traced back to the 1990s.
“I sincerely apologize to any athlete who experienced mistreatment during my tenure at U.S. Biathlon,” Cobb stated. Having transitioned from domestic team manager to the CEO of the association, he is now in a significant position within the IBU, the international governing body for the sport. Cobb also indicated a willingness to cooperate with investigations launched by the U.S. Center for SafeSport concerning a coach accused of sexually abusing a young biathlete, whose trauma led her to attempt suicide. However, he was limited in what he could discuss, as SafeSport has exclusive jurisdiction over such investigations.
Grace Boutot, the affected athlete who joined Cobb on the virtual call, clarified that she had not lodged a SafeSport complaint, meaning that no one was barred from discussing her experiences. She emphasized that the organization’s six-month suspension of the coach was insufficient compared to the lasting impact the abuse has had on her life. Additionally, Cobb was mentioned in a separate SafeSport complaint from former Olympian Joan Wilder, who alleged that she was almost sexually assaulted by her coach, only to have Cobb dismiss her reporting of the incident.
During the meeting, Boutot brought serious allegations against Cobb and other board members, asserting that they failed to pursue investigations regarding the sexual abuse she endured from two different coaches. She further commented on the lack of follow-up after her suicide attempt, stating, “Others were aware of what transpired, yet they did not reach out to inquire further.” This sentiment was echoed by Drew Hudon, vice president of the Colorado Biathlon Club, who pointed out that such behavior has eroded trust among U.S. Biathlon’s members. Hudon reiterated the board’s responsibility to prioritize athlete safety, questioning the credibility of the current leadership’s oversight.
In light of these revelations, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee has placed an employee on leave following the media reports about Boutot’s experiences. Boutot and Wilder reached out to the press to share their stories after prior reports highlighted the case of Olympian Joanne Reid, who revealed years of sexual harassment by a ski wax technician, coupled with inadequate responses from the organization.
The SafeSport body is currently investigating claims against U.S. Biathlon CEO Jack Gierhart and High-Performance Director Lowell Bailey concerning retaliation against athletes. The timeline for the conclusion of this investigation remains uncertain, as SafeSport representatives cannot comment on ongoing cases. Following the report about Reid’s situation, U.S. Biathlon initiated an independent review of its culture and safety practices. Initial findings by an auditing group outlined troubling tales of “misogynistic” conduct among biathletes and a pervasive fear of retaliation for those coming forward.
Gierhart outlined plans during the meeting to address the auditor’s recommendations, targeting the establishment of a nurturing and accountable environment within the organization. “This is a continuous journey for us,” he noted. “We are dedicated to fostering the necessary cultural shift.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This discussion mentions sensitive topics such as suicide. For those who may be struggling or know someone in distress, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. is available at 988, and there is an online chat option on 988lifeline.org.