Abstract
The Summer Olympic Games unite the world in celebrating athletic excellence, yet behind the global spectacle lies a troubling reality: the pervasive issue of sexual abuse within competitive sports. The high-profile case of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually assaulted hundreds of athletes over decades, including Olympic champions Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, exposed systemic failures in reporting and accountability. This comment analyzes the legal and institutional response to such abuse, focusing on the enactment of Public Law 115-126 in 2018. Designed to protect minors and amateur athletes, the law mandates timely reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement and establishes safeguards within sports organizations. Through an examination of pre-existing procedures, the law’s mandates, and its implementation across various state-level sports bodies, this comment evaluates the law’s effectiveness and identifies its limitations—particularly in the investigatory process. Concluding that while Public Law 115-126 fulfills many of its intended purposes, this piece advocates for further reforms to ensure comprehensive protection and justice for all athlete victims.
Last Page
134
First Page
93
Recommended Citation
Ashtyn L. Stevens,
The History Behind the Enactment of Public Law 115-126 and Whether SafeSport has Created a Safe Place for Competitive Athletes,
28
The Scholar
93
(2025).
Available at:
https://commons.stmarytx.edu/thescholar/vol28/iss1/4
Volume Number
28
Issue Number
1
Publisher
St. Mary's University School of Law
Editor
Priscilla Okolie
ISSN
1537-405X
