He has been in the middle of a very public battle between himself and the victims at the hands of swim coaches, culminating with his withdrawal from next week's International Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Although not directly involved in any of the abuse, Wielgus has been criticised for allegedly turning a blind eye to the scandal within USA Swimming.

Writing in his blog, Wielgus apologised for his actions in the four years since claiming in a television interview that he did not owe the sexual abuse victims an apology.

"I'm sorry," he wrote.

"These are powerful words some people have wanted to hear from me for a long time.

"I have been criticised in blogs, and most recently in the petition opposing International Swimming Hall of Fame induction, for not apologising for not having done more to prevent sexual abuse by coaches."

The petition was set up on the website change.org by "19 victims of coaching sexual abuse and 29 stalwarts of the swimming community", demanding that the International Swimming Hall of Fame rescind the induction of Wielgus, executive director of USA Swimming since 1997.

Chuck Wielgus was withdrawn from the International Swimming Hall of Fame induction Ceremony following much criticism and a petition from victims of the sexual abuse scandal ©change.org



The open statement continued: "I brought this on myself in April 2010 when I said I had nothing to apologise for on a national television interview.

"Subsequently, I remained, if not defiant, at least defensive.

"While USA Swimming developed its groundbreaking Safe Sport Programme, I championed the work of our national governing body.

"I talked about all the good that USA Swimming was doing in the fight to eradicate sexual abuse.

"But, I never apologised.

"As time progressed, I became afraid that my sincerity would be questioned and anything I said or wrote would be judged as just an attempt to put public relations ahead of true remorse.

"So I remained silent.

"And so today, four long years later, I can truthfully say how sorry I am to the victims of sexual abuse.

"Going back in time, I wish I knew long before 2010 what I know today.

"I wish my eyes had been more open to the individual stories of the horrors of sexual abuse.

"I wish I had known more so perhaps I could have done more.

"I cannot undo the past.

"I'm sorry, so very sorry."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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