United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun has resigned, with the org stating that the move was due to ongoing health issues resulting from prostate cancer. Meanwhile, Susanne Lyons, a current board member, will serve as acting CEO. The news comes as the USOC unveiled a slate of reforms and initiatives designed to protect athletes from abuse and respond quickly following multiple abuses with NGBs. Blackmun served as CEO of the USOC since 2010. The reforms put forth by the USOC include: providing new funding and resources; forming an advisory group; launching a review of the USOC and NGB governance structure; revisiting USOC SafeSport procedures; effectively doubling USOC’s funding of the Center for SafeSport; ensuring that athletes have a stronger voice within the USOC; and working with USAG to address its governance issues.
“Given Scott’s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership so that we can immediately address the urgent initiatives ahead of us,” said USOC Chairman Larry Probst. “The USOC is at a critical point in its history. The important work that Scott started needs to continue and will require especially vigorous attention in light of Larry Nassar’s decades-long abuse of athletes affiliated with USA Gymnastics. We will be working with key stakeholders to help identify a permanent successor to Scott. In the meantime, I am confident that Susanne is the right person to help us navigate this critical transition period.”