Opinion: US Olympic athletes need more than just fans at the Games. We are in Paris to be safe.

Medals should never come at the cost of an athlete’s life. That’s the message the US Center for SafeSport is bringing directly to the Paris Games. For the first time, the Center is sending a delegation to the Olympics and Paralympics to remind the athletes that we are in their corner.

For all the celebration and excitement of the Games, there is still a long shadow cast by abuse and misconduct. The failures of the past will haunt the present without accountability and clear rules for everyone to play by.

The recent Olympic qualification of a Dutch beach volleyball player convicted of raping a 12-year-old child is a striking example. His acceptance by national and international sports organizations turns back the clock on culture change and sends a dangerous message that winning is more important than the safety of young athletes and the experiences of survivors.

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