USA Badminton, the sport’s Anaheim-based national governing body, has failed to complete criminal background on nearly half the individuals required to undergo such screening under U.S. Olympic Committee policies, according to a recent USOC audit obtained by the Orange County Register.
The USOC was so concerned about USA Badminton’s failure to comply with USOC and U.S. Center for Safe Sport policies that it raised the possibility of terminating the organization’s national governing body status last month.
The USOC’s internal audit division found four areas of “high risk” in USA Badminton’s Athlete Safety program including failing to conduct required criminal background checks on members, not following Safe Sport training requirements, not verifying Safe Sport course completion in a timely manner and not requiring background checks or Safe Sport training for individuals in “frequent contact with athletes” including medical personnel.
“Badminton’s contracted doctors and other medical personnel, sanctioned club directors, and administrators are not required to complete background checks and Safe Sport training” by USA Badminton “and should be subject to both,” Wendy…
