Sports Neutral, Jeffrey Benz, Called Upon to Assist in Resolving High Profile Speedskating Dispute
Beverly Hills, California - Oct 5th, 2012.
Agency for Dispute Resolution’s Jeffrey Benz, former chief counsel at the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), will serve as the arbitrator in a dispute involving a coach who allegedly directed a skater to tamper with the skates of a Canadian competitor.
As part of a process required by federal law, athletes may make a “Demand for Arbitration” when they feel as though their ability to compete is at risk. The stakes are high as athletes are subject to harsh sanctions if found guilty, such as banishment from the competition.
Arbitration in this case is slated for October, and involve allegations which, if true, are the most serious in U.S. speedskating. The complaint requests dismissal of the coach accused of physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. As an arbitrator, Jeffrey Benz brings a wide variety of experience which includes having served as an arbitrator in a similar case of physical abuse involving a Korean coach, resulting in a six year ban.
