ATHLETE ADVISORY COUNCIL

 
About the AAC
 
The Athletes' Advisory Council (AAC) is a body within US Speedskating dedicated to representing and furthering the interests of the athletes. It facilitates communication between the athletes and the organization, ensures there is athlete representation at every level, and works closely with the Board of Directors as well as the USOPC AAC.  You can contact a member of the AAC if you have a question, issue or concern related to athlete needs.

 

Current USS Athlete Advisory Council:

Carlijn Schoutens (Chair, Long Track Athlete) - carlijn.schoutens@gmail.com

Julie Letai (Short Track Athlete) - jjletai@gmail.com

Brandon Kim (Short Track Athlete) - brandonjkim35@gmail.com

Emery Lehman (Long Track Athlete) - emery.lehman@gmail.com

Brittany Bowe (Long Track Athlete) - brittanybowe@gmail.com

Brian Hansen (Long Track Athlete) - bhansen14@gmail.com


The athletes on US Speedskating's Board of Directors are Carlijn Schoutens and Ryan Bedford. 
The athlete representatives on the USOPC AAC are Brian Hansen and Julie Letai (alternate).
 
 
Who to Contact
 
High Performance/Regulations/Team Selection: 

Athlete Benefits: 

Member Benefits/Issues/General Inquiries: 

Athlete Development 

Complaints

Suggestions/Feedback: 

All Other Questions

 
USS Documents
 
USS Bylaws - Information on the structure and functioning of the AAC can be found in article 9
USS Workgroups - Athlete representatives on each committee and workgroup can be found here

 

Athlete Ombuds

The Office of the Athlete Ombuds offers independent, confidential advice to elite athletes regarding their rights and responsibilities in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and assists athletes with a broad range of questions, disputes, complaints and concerns.

Phone:                719-866-5000

Email:                ombudsman@usathlete.org 

Website:             usathlete.org 

Athlete Ombuds Confidentiality and Privacy Policy:

(A) In general.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall maintain as confidential any information communicated or provided to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds. (B) Exception.—The Office of the Athlete Ombuds may disclose information described in subparagraph (A) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute, with the permission of the parties involved.(C) Judicial and administrative proceedings.—(i) In general.—The ombudsman and the staff of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds.(ii) Work product.—Any memorandum, work product, notes, or case file of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds—(I) shall be confidential; and(II) shall not be—(aa) subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of legal compulsion; or (bb) admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (D) Applicability.—The confidentiality requirements under this paragraph shall not apply to information relating to—(i) applicable federally mandated reporting requirements; (ii) a felony personally witnessed by a member of the Office of the Athlete Ombuds;(iii) a situation, communicated to the Office of the Athlete Ombuds, in which an individual is at imminent risk of serious harm; or (iv) a congressional subpoena.

 
Anti-Retaliation Statement

No employee, contractor, agent, volunteer, or member of the USOPC shall take or threaten action against an athlete as a reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance from the Office of the Athlete Ombuds. 

 
Other resources for speed skating athletes
  

USOPC Athletes' Advisory Council

USADA

WADA

Ted Stevens Act

U.S. Center for SafeSport