WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released the following statement regarding the charges against former USA Olympic gymnastics coach John Geddert: 

“The shocking allegations against coach John Geddert, along with his subsequent suicide, are the latest example of the urgent need to protect all athletes in the Olympic movement from abuse,” said Wicker. “Though justice was denied to his victims in this case, we must work toward reforms that prevent such terrible crimes from happening ever again.  The Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics will be key to achieving that outcome. Congress needs to finalize the Commission’s membership and provide funding so it can begin this important work without delay.”