In January 2024, the Associated Press published an article regarding a SafeSport case involving a U.S. Biathlon athlete. Following the release of the article, U.S. Biathlon established our Athlete Health and Safety Task Force, led by Olympian and U.S. Biathlon Board Vice-Chair and Athlete Representative Rachel Steer. The task force selected an independent third party consultant, Vestry Laight, who audited athlete health and safety at U.S. Biathlon in 2024. Vestry Laight evaluated our athlete safety and wellness practices and team culture, and provided recommendations on sustainable improvements and the implementation of best practices in line with the work of the US Center for SafeSport, Biathlon Integrity Unit, and the USOPC. U.S. Biathlon has made a commitment to address the recommendations with honesty, accountability, and urgency, and have since taken important steps to strengthen our organization and team culture.
Latest Update to U.S. Biathlon Membership
Link to the Vestry Laight Report
US Biathlon will continue to diligently implement the U.S Center for SafeSport Code and its respective policies, along with its own Safe Sport, Background Screening and Minor Abuse Prevention Policies. We encourage any athletes who wish to learn more or report abuse to visit usbiathlon.org/safesport for information regarding its SafeSport, Background Screening and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies, reporting tools, the SafeSport helpline, parental consent forms, and more. U.S. Biathlon has zero tolerance for retaliation. To find out more, visit US Biathlon | Policies & Forms.
- Rachel Steer – Athlete representative to the Board and Vice Chair of the Board, National Team athlete 1999-2006, Olympic Team 2002 and 2006.
- Sarah Konrad – Board director (former athlete board representative); former Chair of USOPC Athlete Advisory Council 2013-2016, first American woman to compete in two sports during one Olympiad: biathlon and nordic skiing at the Torino Winter Olympic Games in 2006.
- Kathy Kendrick – Independent Board Director, retired General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of DreamWorks, Member of Women’s Leadership Board of Harvard Kennedy School
- Kelsey Dickinson - Athlete representative to the Board, current World Cup athlete, Executive Director of the Women Ski Coaches Association
- Brian Olsen – Former athlete representative to the Board and USOPC Athlete Advisory Council; Olympic Team 2006
Click HERE to view the Membership update from U.S. Biathlon President & CEO Jack Gierhart on 9/22/25.
Click HERE to view the Athlete Health & Safety Task Force Report.
Click HERE to view the Athlete Health and Safety Task Force update from 9/25/24.
Click HERE to view the Athlete Health and Safety Task Force update from 7/17/24.
Click HERE to view the Athlete Health and Safety Task Force update from 6/18/24.
Vestry Laight has offered to be available at two town halls next week to introduce themselves and answer questions about the work they will be doing.
Tuesday (5/14)
12 – 1 pm PT / 3-4 pm ET
Athlete Health & Safety Task Force Town Hall (female and female-identifying athletes)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/74762816539
This town hall is an opportunity to meet Vestry Laight and hear more about the scope of the audit, their methodology, and how to participate. This town hall is specifically for female or female-identifying athletes only. It is designed to create a safe space to ask the Vestry Laight team any questions you might have about their work. Only athlete representatives on the task force (no U.S. Biathlon staff) will be present.
Tuesday (5/14)
1:30 – 2:30 pm PT / 4:30-5:30 pm ET
Athlete Health & Safety Task Force Town Hall
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82541665415
This town hall is an opportunity for the broader biathlon community to meet Vestry Laight and hear more about the scope of the audit, their methodology, and how to participate. This town hall is for any athlete or stakeholder who is interested in learning more about their work.
If you are unable to attend one of these meetings, we will post an FAQ based on the meeting content to the Athlete Health & Safety Task Force web page. You may also reach out to Vestry Laight directly with questions at usba@vestrylaight.com.
Later this month we will launch a survey for senior-age athletes who have traveled and/or competed internationally during the current and previous quadrennium.
After the results of the survey are reviewed, the Vestry Laight team will reach out to a sampling of senior athletes, U.S. Biathlon staff, and other stakeholders to learn more about measures currently in place to address misconduct and ensure athletes are safe, and to learn about what is working and where there are opportunities for improvement.
We expect the survey and interviews will be complete by late summer and a summary of our findings will be shared with the membership in the fall.
Click HERE to view the latest update from the Task Force.
Click HERE to view the latest update from the Task Force.
Click HERE to view the Athlete Health and Safety Task Force update from 2/29/24.
Click HERE to view the U.S. Biathlon statement regarding new policies in place.