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Alen Hadzic, the U.S. fencer who went to the Tokyo Olympics as an alternate despite being under investigation for sexual misconduct, has been declared permanently ineligible by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
The finding was issued Tuesday, according to SafeSport’s centralized database, and also includes no-contact directives. Hadzic, who has previously denied the allegations, has 10 business days to appeal SafeSport’s finding.
“Obviously, today’s result was the correct one. For the many girls and women who courageously stepped forward to report rapes and other sexual abuse at the hands of this athlete. And for girls at risk of future abuse by him,” Jack Wiener, the attorney for several of the women who filed complaints against Hadzic, told USA TODAY Sports.
“But the multi-year investigation was far too long,” Wiener added. “During that time, girls in the fencing community were exposed to unnecessary risk. Much work remains if SafeSport is to function as its founders intended.”
Hadzic’s case was considered representative of many of the shortcomings of SafeSport, the independent body tasked by Congress with protecting athletes in the Olympic movement.
SafeSport temporarily suspended Hadzic in June 2021 after three women told investigators he had committed sexual misconduct against them between 2013 and 2015. But he was allowed to go to Tokyo as an alternate on the U.S. epee team after an arbitrator overturned the suspension, and three teammates wore pink masks during a team photo in protest.
SafeSport’s investigation took more than two years, and Hadzic was able to continue competing at certain events during that time. Wiener also said SafeSport failed to keep him and his clients informed about the case or provide them with a satisfactory explanation of why it was taking so long to resolve.
“You’ve done zero follow-up with my clients in the last two years that reflects that you are doing any work at all to conclude your investigation, take appropriate action, and safeguard the community you were created to protect. Zero,” Wiener wrote in an email last month to Deanna Young, a SafeSport investigator.
“You refer to my ‘continued patience.’ You misunderstand. I have no patience any longer. This inaction on SafeSport’s part is inexcusable.”
USA Fencing, which worked with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee on a “safety plan” to keep Hadzic away from other athletes in Tokyo, including having him stay at a hotel, said it was pleased the case is resolved.
“The road to resolution of this matter has been long and arduous,” David Arias, chair of USA Fencing’s board, and Phil Andrews, the organization’s CEO, said in a statement.
“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,” Arias and Andrews said. “Today’s decision by the Center assures that conduct that is threatening, harmful or inappropriate toward anyone in our sport will not be tolerated.”
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