U.S. Biathlon Message to Community Regarding Dec. 11 AP Report

Message shared with our community on 12/12/24:

To our Members and the Biathlon Community:

Yesterday, the Associated Press published an article about U.S. Biathlon and the organization’s failure to address sexual misconduct within the sport going back several decades. It was a very troubling article to read, and we hold tremendous respect for the athletes that came forward.   I would like to share with you the message I sent to our athletes last night, and I appreciate your patience as we looked to connect with them first:

"I know there is much on your minds, whether you are preparing for Hochfilzen or looking ahead to the trials in Craftsbury, but I did want to acknowledge the article that was published today.  

Regardless of the time frame, we are deeply concerned about the experiences of the athletes mentioned.  To all of you, I want to reaffirm our commitment to athlete safety and providing an inclusive environment that supports a strong team and creates enduring trust amongst all of us. I continue to be excited about the project we launched together in Vuokatti and look forward to continuing to work together building our culture of excellence where everyone is comfortable, confident, and can excel. I truly believe we are on the right track.

As always, I am available if you have thoughts you would like to share. Good luck in WC #2 & #3, and for those who will be in Craftsbury, I look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks for your passion and commitment."

On December 2nd we shared with our community the report from the third-party auditor who conducted a review of our organization from an athlete safety perspective to identify areas that need better focus and strengthening. As a result, we have implemented a collaborative plan of action to build and promote an inclusive culture that supports a strong team and builds trust with every individual athlete and our entire community. This is not a project with a beginning and end -- it is a culture shift which we are fully committed to weaving into the fabric of our organization and providing an environment where every single person feels safe, valued and supported.

I know many of you are asking how we will make improvements. Please review the report, comments and our plan here. This plan is a starting point and our efforts will evolve as we work to drive continual improvement in our organization and ensure the absence of all misconduct. As always, and as I have shared with our athletes, we welcome your input and appreciate your interest and commitment to making our sport better.

Please click HERE to view the full Vestry Laigt report.

Sincerely,

Jack Gierhart

President and CEO

U.S. Biathlon