Grievance And Dispute Resolution

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Team USA athletes have rights and protections related to a grievance and dispute resolution process.

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and National Governing Bodies are required to provide procedures for the resolution of grievances to its members. These requirements are included in the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and the USOPC Bylaws.

Team USA athletes have rights and protections around:

Accessing a grievance process.
The swift and equitable resolution of disputes.
Having athlete representation on NGB judicial grievance and any other hearing panel affecting any individual’s participation in Protected Competition.

More Information#

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This information is intended to simplify and support Team USA athlete education around a complex system of rights and responsibilities within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Learn more about your rights as a Team USA athlete by referring to the applicable laws or governance documents.

Responsibilities

USOPC Responsibilities

Maintain provisions for swift and equitable resolution of disputes relating to complaints of retaliation or the opportunity to participate in Protected Competition.
Establish procedures for handling complaints against national governing bodies regarding requirements in the Act related to eligibility requirements, general duties and granting sanctions to hold an international competition in the U.S. or to sponsor U.S. athletes to compete in international competition outside the U.S.
Hire and provide salary, benefits, and administrative expenses for the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, which is to provide confidential, independent, cost-free advice to Team USA athletes and assistance in resolving athlete concerns.
Develop and maintain a system to receive complaints on ethics and compliance issues.

NGB Responsibilities

Provide procedures for the prompt and equitable resolution of grievances for its members.
Agree to submit a controversy involving an athletes’ opportunity to participate in competition to binding arbitration.
Provide fair notice and opportunity for a hearing before declaring an athlete ineligible to participate.

U.S. Center for SafeSport Responsibilities

Ensure that its own mechanisms that allow for the reporting, investigation, and resolution protect the privacy and safety of complainants.
Ensure that the NGBs and USOPC implement and follow the policies and procedures developed by the US Center for SafeSport to prevent and promptly report instances of abuse of amateur athletes, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; and establish mechanisms that allow for the reporting and investigation of alleged violations of such policies and procedures.
Publish and maintain a publicly accessible internet website that contains a comprehensive list of adults who are barred by the Center.
Ensure that any action taken by the Center is carried out in a manner that provides procedural due process to the individual, including, at a minimum— (i) the provision of written notice of the allegations against the individual; (ii) a right to be represented by counsel or other advisor; (iii) an opportunity to be heard during the investigation; (iv) in a case in which a violation is found, a reasoned written decision by the Center; and (v) the ability to challenge, in a hearing or through arbitration, interim measures or sanctions imposed by the Center.