The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has severed ties with a biathlon coach and a director amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The coach, Gary Colliander, is accused of abusing a young biathlete, Grace Boutot, causing her significant emotional distress that led to a suicide attempt.
The USOPC spokesperson, Jon Mason, confirmed the departure of both Gary Colliander and Eileen Carey but refrained from elaborating on the reasons for their dismissals. Colliander was initially placed on administrative leave from the Paralympic team in December, merely days after the allegations came to light, and both he and Carey were terminated on March 14.
Grace Boutot claims Colliander, who began coaching her at the Maine Winter Sports Center when she was just 15, subjected her to years of abuse. After a suicide attempt in October 2010, Colliander resigned and transitioned to a role with the U.S. Paralympic Nordic team. Meanwhile, Eileen Carey, who was a vice president at the Maine Center during the period of abuse, moved on to work with the Paralympic team after discussions with Boutot’s mother about the misconduct.
When asked if Carey played a role in Colliander’s hiring, or about the vetting process for coaches, Mason declined to comment. However, the U.S. Center for SafeSport has initiated an investigation into Colliander following the scandal.
Colliander’s legal representative, Simone Montoya, stated that her client “adamantly denies any wrongdoing” and remains cooperative with the inquiries, pledging to maintain transparency throughout the investigation.
Despite multiple attempts, comments from Carey have not been forthcoming. This situation has unfolded in the broader context of reports from former athletes, including Olympian Joanne Reid, speaking out about abuse in the sport. The biathlon, a unique winter sport that combines skiing and shooting, has faced scrutiny due to these allegations.
Grace Boutot, now 34, described how initially inappropriate behavior escalated over the years to more severe misconduct, leading her to a deep depression and self-harm. Despite requests for him to cease his conduct, Colliander continued until Boutot’s suicide attempt forced a career change.
Even after Colliander’s departure, Boutot faced stigmatization within the biathlon community, her peers and staff blaming her for the incident. Her mother, Karen Gorman, had exchanged several emails with Carey and the center’s CEO, Andy Shepard, about the misconduct, urging them to scrutinize coach-athlete relationships more closely.
Although Carey assured Gorman of working towards change, Boutot contends no meaningful investigation was ever initiated. An eventual complaint to the Maine Human Rights Commission accused the center of negligence and retaliation, culminating in a $75,000 settlement that led Boutot to quit racing.
For those needing support, the U.S. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be accessed by dialing or texting 988, with further online support available.