SafeSport: Strengthening the Role of Junior Team Leaders

As U.S. Figure Skating continues its efforts to strengthen areas supporting athlete safety, many programs and policies are being given a fresh look to ensure a safe, healthy and respectful environment for athletes to perform at their highest level.

Earlier this year, the scope of work and role of U.S. Figure Skating team leaders (those who travel abroad as part of the Team USA delegation) were examined to explore opportunities to improve.

A team leader’s primary role is to ensure that each competition is held according to the rules and regulations of the ISU to provide an even playing field for all athletes and to oversee and supervise Team USA athletes at international competitions. Team leaders also help keep team members focused, engaged and safe at the competition.

Junior Team Leaders with Lorrie Parker, Skip Zabilski, and Lorin Sezer

Recognizing that minors are the most at-risk group for abuse or misconduct, an application process was established for serving as an Athlete High Performance Development junior team leader. These junior team leaders serve at competitions where the majority of athletes are under 18. Resumes and applications were reviewed by U.S. Figure Skating, and a small group of veteran team leaders and assistant team leaders were selected. (A senior team leader training session was held by video conference in early September.)

Ann Barr, Rick Perez and Lorrie Parker were selected as junior team leaders to collectively attend every junior international competition through the Junior Grand Prix Final. Tiffany Dombeck, Kyoko Ina, Kathleen Krieger and Colin McManus were selected as assistant junior team leaders to assist a junior team leader at one event as part of their training.

In addition to sharing real-life scenarios and best practices, the junior team leaders refreshed their training, receiving presentations and education in these areas:

• International security and safety, presented by Nicole Deal, the chief security officer of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee

• Roles and responsibilities of the Athlete High Performance staff

• ISU Athlete Safeguarding policy and Code of Ethics, presented by Pat St. Peter, ISU Council member and U.S. Figure Skating SafeSport Committee chair

• U.S. Figure Skating SafeSport policies and procedures

• Managing challenging situations

• Crisis communication training

Italian Junior Grand Prix 7 Team leader Lorrie Parker, Team Physician Skip Zabilski, and SafeSport Representative Lorin Sezer

Zero-Tolerance Policy Now in Effect

The junior team leaders helped shape the zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and illegal substance use, which was implemented this fall. The policy specifically targets International Selection Pool (ISP) athletes under the age of 21 – the legal drinking age in the United States. Athletes under the age of 21 may not consume alcohol or use illegal substances as prohibited by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) while representing the U.S. abroad.

Violations of this policy will lead to the athlete being sent home at their family’s expense. A violation will be referred to U.S. Figure Skating’s Ethics Committee for further review and handling in accordance with U.S. Figure Skating bylaws, grievance and ethics committee rules.

While the policy was specifically created for junior Team USA athletes, it also applies to senior athletes under the age of 21.