COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The U.S. Olympic Committee, sued last year by a former Olympic wheelchair basketball player, has tentatively agreed to establish a nonprofit corporation dedicated to disabled athletes.
If approved by the USOC executive committee next weekend, the U.S. Paralympic Sport Corp. would oversee about 20,000 elite disabled athletes. It also would be able to appoint representatives to the USOC board of directors and executive committee.
"I think it's great," USOC President Bill Hybl said Friday. "This has been an ongoing process seeking a solution so we can serve the Paralympic athletes and remember our ongoing obligation to the Olympic athletes."
Among other duties, the corporation would be in charge of training disabled athletes, scheduling international competitions and opportunities outside the Paralympic Games, and generating money to support Paralympic sports programs.
The proposal comes less than six months after the USOC's manager of Disabled Sports Services filed an $11 million lawsuit claiming he did not receive the same staff, budget or pay as other senior Olympic officials with similar responsibilities.
In his 23-count lawsuit, Mark Shepard also said programs for disabled athletes receive less funding. A telephone message for Shepard was not returned Friday.
"(The lawsuit) helped focus attention on the issue of governance of Paralympic sports, but it began before that," USOC spokesman Mike Moran said.
Newly selected chief executive officer Norm Blake met Wednesday with several athletes and directors of various disabled sports organizations.
"We've agreed to nothing but a concept," said Charlie Huebner, executive director of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. "We are going to sit down and finally create a plan on how to implement disabled sports in the future, which both sides have been looking to do. We're very excited. . . . Elated is the word I'd use."
Among those joining Blake and Huebner in signing the agreement were Paralympic athletes Scot Hollonbeck and Sarah Billmeier; Doug Pringle, president of Disabled Sports USA; Paul DePace, chairman for Wheelchair Sports USA; and Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, president of the USA Deaf Sports Federation.
"Norm took very decisive action and put together this meeting," Moran said. "The reaction to it was very positive. Certainly now we can look forward to a resolution that will be acceptable to all parties. . . . That agreement in concept was signed by everyone who has a stake in this."
USOC funds currently budgeted for disabled athlete programs would be turned over to the new corporation, and $3 million in annual federal support is being sought. The USOC also agreed to provide cash and in-kind support, including office space and personnel, until the corporation reaches a mutually-agreed revenue target.
A 10-member board of directors would be created along with a Paralympic athletes council. All governing boards, committees and task forces operating within the corporation would be required to have at least 20 percent Paralympic athlete representation.