Olympic Athlete Can’t Take Suspension to Court, SafeSport Says

An Olympic athlete’s lawsuit seeking reinstatement after he was suspended for sexual misconduct should be dismissed because the U.S. Center for SafeSport has exclusive authority over allegations of abuse within Olympic sports, the center told a federal court in Colorado.

“Olympic eligibility decisions are not within the court’s jurisdiction,” SafeSport told the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, because Congress granted SafeSport the sole power to safeguard amateur athletes against abuse in sports.

The claim for reinstatement is also moot because the date for substitutions has come and gone, SafeSport said.

Plaintiff Keith Sanderson was qualified to compete ...