USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Fencing Board Chair David Arias and CEO Phil Andrews issued this statement today following the announcement by the U.S. Center for SafeSport that Alen Hadzic violated the SafeSport Code and is permanently prohibited from participating, in any capacity, in any event, program, activity, or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the National Governing Bodies recognized by the USOPC, a Local Affiliated Organization as defined by the Code, or at a facility under the exclusive jurisdiction of the same:

The road to resolution of this matter has been long and arduous. We thank the community for your patience as we allowed the independent U.S. Center for SafeSport — which has the exclusive authority to adjudicate reports of alleged sexual abuse and sexual misconduct within Olympic and Paralympic governing bodies and amateur sports organizations — to exercise its exclusive jurisdiction over this matter and conduct a thorough investigation.

USA Fencing is pleased that the Center has issued a decision that provides clarity and peace of mind to our athletes, coaches and the fencing community.

At USA Fencing, athlete safety — both on and off the fencing strip — is our top priority. Today’s decision by the Center assures that conduct that is threatening, harmful or inappropriate toward anyone in our sport will not be tolerated.

We encourage anyone whose safety and security has been threatened to confidentially report a concern using the options outlined here. And we remind our members that mental health resources are available through our Member Wellness Program, which offers free, confidential counseling services to USA Fencing members.

USA Fencing recognizes that the Center’s announcement may be just the first step in a legal process that may yet postpone final resolution. For that reason, USA Fencing will not discuss this matter publicly any further in order to protect the sanctity of the process.

All respondents have the right to request an arbitration hearing on the Center’s findings and/or sanctions before JAMS, a third-party arbitration body. The request for arbitration is due within 10 business days following issuance of the decision. Additionally, when the Center renders a decision, a respondent may, before a hearing, request a stay of the sanctions. A decision on a request for a stay will be the sole discretion of the Center and is not reviewable.

Through this process and beyond, we always put the safety of our athletes first. Our FenceSafe program and its associated tools and training programs empower our athletes, coaches and staff to recognize and report abuse.