The content discusses a 16-month investigation that found child sexual abuse accusations against Ted Nash, an Olympic medalist and coach, to be credible. The main accuser, Jennifer Fox, was deemed believable when she stated that Nash had groomed her for a sexual relationship and assaulted her when she was 13 years old. The abuse lasted about a year and ended in 1973. The report, which was conducted by the law firm Shearman & Sterling at the request of U.S. Rowing, found no evidence refuting Fox’s accusations or a motive for her to lie about the abuse.
Nash’s widow, Jan Nash, did not immediately respond to requests for comment but had previously expressed shock and sadness at the accusations. The investigation did not aim to meet a legal standard of proof, but after interviewing 47 witnesses who interacted with Nash or Fox, it corroborated many of her allegations. The accusations against Nash were made public in 2023 when Fox shared her story with The New York Times, leading another former rower to come forward with a similar experience of a sexual advance by Nash.
As a result of the law firm’s findings, U.S. Rowing rescinded the honors it had previously awarded Nash, including the Man of the Year in 2005 and the Medal of Honor in 2013. This decision was based on the commitment to providing a safe environment free of abuse within the rowing community. Fox expressed a sense of closure following the report and the actions taken by U.S. Rowing, stating that it sends a strong message to those who commit sex crimes against children.
The statement on U.S. Rowing’s website reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to creating a safe environment for its members. The future of Nash’s Olympic medals, including a gold in 1960 and a bronze in 1964, remains uncertain. The International Olympic Committee did not respond to requests for clarification on the status of these medals. The investigation and subsequent actions taken by U.S. Rowing serve as a step towards addressing and preventing abuse within the sporting community, highlighting the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
