USOC appoints council to oversee Safe Sport startup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) The U.S. Olympic Committee appointed a seven-person advisory council to help with the startup of an independent agency that will investigate sex-abuse claims inside Olympic sports.

Last year, the USOC approved the creation of the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, an independent entity that will provide education and also investigate claims of misconduct in sports managed by USOC-sanctioned sports programs.

The USOC approved $5.2 million in funding over five years beginning this year; national governing bodies will match that and the USOC is looking for outside contributors to provide the final $5 million it will take to run the program.

The seven-member council, announced Monday, includes doctors, law enforcement officials and other experts and industry leaders in abuse prevention.