INDIANAPOLIS — Steve Penny resigned as president of USA Gymnastics on Thursday following intensified pressure on the organization for its handling of sex abuse cases. The resignation came a week after the United States Olympic Committee’s board recommended to USA Gymnastics chairman Paul Parilla that Penny should step down. Penny offered his resignation during a previously scheduled board meeting on Thursday. “My decision to step aside as CEO is solely to support the best interests of USA Gymnastics at this time,” Penny said in a statement. USOC chairman Larry Probst said Penny’s decision “will hopefully allow USA Gymnastics to shift its attention to the future with a secure environment for its athletes and continued success in competition.” Penny joined USA Gymnastics in 1999 and
Tag: National Team
Megan Rapinoe Escalates National Anthem Protest, Kneels With USA Soccer Team
Share this: As the debate over the role of politics and protest in sports rages, Megan Rapinoe has knelt deeper into the flames. The soccer star knelt during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner” in protest of social injustice on Thursday Thursday prior to the U.S. women’s national team’s exhibition game against Thailand. Rapinoe, who knelt during the national anthem ahead of a club soccer game on Sept. 4, raised the stakes of her protest this time by doing so while representing her country. “I think ultimately I just went with what’s in my heart,” Rapinoe told ESPN after the game. “As of now I plan to keep kneeling,” she said. “I’m trying to kind of formulate a better plan and an
Hope Solo Suspended Six Months, Has Contract Terminated By U.S. Soccer
Share this: UPDATE (8:15 p.m. ET): Minutes after the world learned of Hope Solo’s six month suspension via U.S. Soccer for her controversial Olympic comments, the goalie told Sports Illustrated that her contract has been terminated. ORIGINAL STORY: Before Ryan Lochte got himself into trouble at the Olympics, Hope Solo was at the center of her own self-inflicted controversy in Rio de Janeiro. And we’re not even talking about her Zika virus jokes. Following the U.S. women’s soccer team’s stunning quarterfinal loss against Sweden at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Solo said USA “lost to a bunch of cowards,” among other things. Well, actions have consequences, and Solo learned that the hard way Wednesday night when the USWNT announced it has suspended Solo for six months for