Two-time national figure skating pairs champion John Coughlin has been suspended by U.S. Figure Skating following the upgrading of his SafeSport status from “interim restriction” to “interim suspension” on Thursday.
Coughlin appeared on the U.S. Center for SafeSport list on Dec. 17 and reports surfaced last week. At the time, the website showed Coughlin listed as “Interim Measure – Restriction.”
U.S. Figure Skating provided the following comment:
This action prohibits Coughlin from participating in any capacity, in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of USFS, USOC & NGBs, including USFS-member clubs and/or organizations.
U.S. Figure Skating lists “Persons Banned or Suspended From U.S. Figure Skating Membership” on their website.
Under Coughlin’s name, updated Jan. 17, USFS wrote:
Temporary Suspension. Beginning on January 17, 2019, Responding Party John Coughlin is prohibited from participating, in any capacity, in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, including U.S. Figure Skating, and/or a Local Affiliated Organization of a national governing body recognized by the United States Olympic Committee.
Pursuant to U.S. Figure Skating Bylaw Article XXV, Section 2, U.S. Figure Skating hereby suspends John Coughlin, beginning on January 17, 2019, pending final resolution of the matter by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.”
The SafeSport website shows Coughlin listed as “Interim Measure – Suspension.” SafeSport, an independent non-profit program focused on ending abuse in sports, defines that in their glossary as:
The Covered Individual (Responding Party) is prohibited from participating in any capacity in any activity or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies recognized by the USOC, and/or a Local Affiliated Organization of a national governing body recognized by the USOC pending final resolution of the matter.
Coughlin won national pairs’ titles in 2011 and 2012. He was working in the sport as a coach, commentator, chair of the International Skating Union’s Athlete Commission and as a part of various U.S. Figure Skating committees. He resigned as a brand manager from John Wilson Blades in the time since the report surfaced last week.
The nature and details of the allegations against Coughlin are not public. There is no timeline for a resolution in this matter.
Who is John Coughlin? 2-time US pairs champion, now 33 & was building a big life for himself as a coach, TV analyst, businessman & a force within ISU & US Figure Skating -- now suspended by SafeSport & USFS over what are believed to be several allegations of sexual misconduct.
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) January 18, 2019
