Olympic swimming group named in sexual misconduct lawsuit

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The organization that oversees events to develop Olympic swimming contenders has been named in a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct, a report says.

Colorado Springs, Colorado-based USA Swimming was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed in San Jose, Calif., USA Today reported Thursday.

The suit was filed on behalf of 28-year old Jancy Thompson, who alleged a former swimming coach in California molested her over a five-year period from the time she was 15.

"I am here today in hopes that USA Swimming will retain new leadership and clean up its program -- get rid of abusive swim coaches and create a safe environment for young swimmers," Thompson said in the report.

The organization has been named in five lawsuits, but all involve club-level coaches and athletes, USA Today said.

Chuck Wielgus, executive director of 300,000-member USA Swimming, said the organization has a code of conduct for all its affiliates that "expressly prohibits physical or sexual abuse," the newspaper said.

Additionally, Wielgus said USA Swimming was among the first Olympic organizations to implement background screening of its coaches. Wielgus said he would only be interviewed via e-mail, the paper said.