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- Olympic athlete speaks out to News First.
- Olympic flag outside the USOC.
- Investigative reporter James Jarman.
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Tonight: Olympic Athletes Speak Out
Story By: KOAA
Source: KOAA
TONIGHT AT 10PM
Last month, News First exclusively reported Olympic athletes' complaints of threats and bullying by United States Olympic Committee (USOC) officials. You can read that story here.
"There's a lot of fear of retribution," says Olympic athlete Eli Bremer, a primary source for that story. "Athletes have come up to me and told me they wish they'd been able to speak out as well, but they're scared they're going to lose what little they have."
Despite this fear, more athletes are now coming forward to support claims of mistreatment. Among them is a multi-sport athlete who's competed for the USA in four different Olympic Games. News First investigative reporter James Jarman acquired a lengthy letter written to the USOC by this gold medalist expressing a variety of concerns.
Some athletes feel so strongly about the situation that they're calling for a Congressional investigation into the USOC.
According to Bremer, the vast majority of USOC employees put the athletes first, building and supporting a strong team mentality. However, in one particular department "they don't hold themselves to a high ethical standard," he says. "I'm concerned that there's a circling of the wagons - that they're trying to protect their friends and their own jobs, as opposed to protecting the athletes."
What's going on inside the USOC? What's the basis for our Olympic athletes' claims?
News First Investigates. Tonight on News First at 10pm.
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