US Biathlon officials ignored sexual harassment and abuse of female racers for decades, athletes say

US Biathlon officials ignored sexual harassment and abuse of female racers for decades , athletes say.

Sexual abuse and harassment by coaches and others who held positions of power over women on the U.S. Biathlon team have been dismissed, ignored or excused over decades by officials more concerned with winning medals than holding offenders accountable.

While the men involved climbed the ranks of the sport, these women described a culture of abuse dating back to the 1990s .

One coach resigned after the young biathlete he was accused of sexually abusing attempted suicide, but he was later hired to coach the US Paralympic team.

Biathlete Jean Wilder says she was targeted as a problem' athlete.

She says her rifle disappeared, her skis went to another athlete, then dropped from the national team before the 1998 Olympics without being told.

Boutot says coach Gary Colliander massaged her legs and rubbed her back and buttocks.

She said he warned her against telling anyone, saying his life would be ruined and her career would end.

SafeSport has ordered a new investigation into whether Reid was retaliated against for exposing the abuse she endured to the watchdog group.

Boutot said she also faced abuse by then- U.S. Biathlon junior team coach Vladimir Cervenka of the Czech Republic , starting in 2007 .