GAO Certifies U.S. Center for SafeSport Maintains Independence for Fiscal Year 2024

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has been certified by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) as maintaining its mandated independence from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for fiscal year 2024. The Center, responsible for protecting amateur athletes from abuse within the Olympic and Paralympic communities, met all statutory requirements, including a prohibition on employment conflicts and organizational interference.

GAO’s review determined there were no violations of the two-year “cooling-off” period that bars former employees or board members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee from working or volunteering for the Center. Additionally, the audit found no inappropriate conflicts of interest, such as any Center executives or attorneys simultaneously representing the Olympic Committee. The investigation process of the Center was also free from interference or influence by the Committee during the review period.

The Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 outlines the independence standards the Center must uphold, and Congress requires GAO to perform annual certifications. GAO’s assessment included a detailed examination of the Center’s employment records, conflict-of-interest forms, and operational policies, cross-referencing them with information from the Olympic Committee.

The review did not assess the personal backgrounds or qualifications of individual Center employees but focused strictly on statutory compliance. The Center’s SafeSport Code, employee handbook, confidentiality policies, and standard operating procedures were among the documents analyzed to confirm adherence to required standards. The certification ensures continued trust in the Center’s role safeguarding amateur athletes.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from GAO-25-107975, U.S. Government Accountability Office.

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