COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The U.S. Olympic Committee has opened an inquiry into allegations of abuse by a high-ranking USA Judo official.
An independent counsel will investigate the accusations against Fletcher Thornton.
USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel called the allegations serious and said “they are being treated that way.”
The New York Times reported today that in sworn affidavits signed in 1981, several young athletes accused Thornton of drugging and sexually molesting teenage competitors he coached in the late 1970s.
Thornton denied the allegations to the newspaper. He serves on USA Judo’s board of directors.
In June, American judo medal hopeful Ronda Rousey brought the issue back to the forefront when she posted about it on her blog.
