The secretary general of the International Biathlon Union apologized to any athlete who was mistreated during his tenure at U.S. Biathlon while speaking to a 90-minute meeting Tuesday that focused on concerns about athlete safety brought to light by multiple Associated Press reports.
“I appreciate anyone who comes forward with issues, especially issues of sexual misconduct, whether it’s recent ones or old ones. I think that’s an incredibly brave and important thing to do,” Max Cobb said in remarks to the U.S. Biathlon Association's annual meeting, held over Zoom.
Click to Gallery
FILE - Two-time Olympian Joan Wilder poses for a photo at her home on Nov. 22, 2024, in Bend, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
FILE - Two-time Olympian Joan Wilder poses for a photo while skiing at the Meissner Nordic Community Ski Area within the Deschutes National Forest on Nov. 22, 2024, in Deschutes County near Bend, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
FILE - Grace Boutot, who won a silver medal at the 2009 Youth World Championships, stands for a photograph in her home, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
FILE - This combination of images shows Joan Wilder on Nov. 22, 2024, Grace Boutot on Oct. 17, 2024, and Joanne Reid on Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, Steven Senne, Darko Bandic, File)
It was Cobb's first public statement since AP's report a week ago detailing how women said officials ignored or excused sexual abuse and harassment of female biathletes by their coaches and others over decades because they were more concerned about winning medals than holding offenders accountable.
While the men involved climbed the ranks of the sport, the women — who described a culture of abuse dating back to the 1990s — said they were forced to end their racing careers early. Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with target shooting.
“I can say personally I am very sorry for any athlete who suffered any kind of mistreatment during my time working with U.S. Biathlon,” said Cobb, who rose from domestic team manager to CEO of the association and is now an official with the IBU, the worldwide governing body of the sport.
Cobb said Tuesday that he would cooperate with a U.S. Center for SafeSport investigation into a coach accused of sexually abusing a young biathlete, causing her so much distress that she attempted suicide. He said SafeSport holds exclusive jurisdiction over investigations and he could not speak further.
However, that biathlete, Grace Boutot, who also attended the virtual meeting, said no one is prohibited from speaking about her case because she has not filed a SafeSport complaint about the abuse she suffered. She said any SafeSport six-month suspension was not enough, while she has endured a life sentence.
Cobb was named in a different SafeSport complaint filed by another former biathlete, two-time Olympian Joan Wilder, who said her coach tried to sexually assault her and Cobb dismissed it when she reported it to him.
During the meeting Boutot accused Cobb and other board members of ignoring sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of two different coaches. “Other people were aware of what happened, and they did not reach out to me to investigate after my suicide attempt,” she said.
Drew Hudon, vice president of the Colorado Biathlon Club, said that is why the board has lost the trust of U.S. Biathlon members. That includes board Chairman Bob Hall, who opened the meeting saying athlete safety was the priority and had said the body would investigate any allegations.
“We just heard point-blank, crystal clear, they did know and did not investigate,” Hudon said. “That to me was a clear example of why I should not have trust right now in this board of directors, in their ability to oversee this organization and promote safety.”
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee placed an employee on administrative leave after the AP reported about Boutot's case.
Boutot and Wilder contacted the AP with their stories after the news agency reported that two-time Olympian Joanne Reid was sexually harassed and abused for years by a ski wax technician while racing on the World Cup circuit, according to SafeSport. When she complained, she said, she was told his behavior was just part of male European culture and then faced retaliation.
SafeSport has launched a new investigation into U.S. Biathlon CEO Jack Gierhart and High Performance Director Lowell Bailey regarding the retaliation claims, though it is not known when they will finish their work. SafeSport spokeswoman Hilary Nemchik said she could not comment on an ongoing case.
The AP story on Reid's SafeSport case prompted U.S. Biathlon to order an independent investigation into team culture and safety. The assessment by auditor Vestry Laight found that biathletes faced “misogynistic” behavior while racing and feared retaliation if they came forward.
At Tuesday's meeting, Gierhart detailed the organization's plan to respond to auditor recommendations and create a supportive and accountable team culture.
“This is an ongoing process — it's a journey,” he said. “It's a shift for us, and we're committed to making it happen.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — Martha Bellisle is an amateur biathlete who has won several U.S. national and world championship gold medals in the master’s division for competitors 60 and older. She has competed at local races across the country sanctioned by the U.S. Biathlon Association.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
FILE - Two-time Olympian Joan Wilder poses for a photo at her home on Nov. 22, 2024, in Bend, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
FILE - Two-time Olympian Joan Wilder poses for a photo while skiing at the Meissner Nordic Community Ski Area within the Deschutes National Forest on Nov. 22, 2024, in Deschutes County near Bend, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
FILE - Grace Boutot, who won a silver medal at the 2009 Youth World Championships, stands for a photograph in her home, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
FILE - This combination of images shows Joan Wilder on Nov. 22, 2024, Grace Boutot on Oct. 17, 2024, and Joanne Reid on Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, Steven Senne, Darko Bandic, File)
SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela (AP) — As Diógenes Angulo was freed Saturday from a Venezuelan prison after a year and five months, he, his mother and his aunt trembled and struggled for words. Nearby, at least a dozen other families hoped for similar reunions.
Angulo’s release came on the third day that families had gathered outside prisons in the capital, Caracas, and other communities hoping to see loved ones walk out after Venezuela's government pledged to free what it described as a significant number of prisoners. Members of Venezuela’s political opposition, activists, journalists and soldiers were among the detainees that families hoped would be released.
Angulo was detained two days before the 2024 presidential election after he posted a video of an opposition demonstration in Barinas, the home state of the late President Hugo Chávez. He was 17 at the time.
“Thank God, I’m going to enjoy my family again,” he told The Associated Press, adding that others still detained “are well” and have high hopes of being released soon. His faith, he said, gave him the strength to keep going during his detention.
Minutes after he was freed, the now 19-year-old learned former President Nicolás Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces Jan. 3 in a nighttime raid in Caracas.
Venezuela's government on Thursday pledged to free a significant number of prisoners in what it described as a gesture to “seek peace.” Officials have not identified or given a number of prisoners being considered for release, leaving rights groups scouring for hints of information and families to watch the hours tick by with no word.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the release of people detained for political reasons came at Washington’s request.
"Venezuela has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners," Trump wrote Saturday on his Truth Social platform. “Thank you! I hope those prisoners will remember how lucky they got that the USA came along and did what had to be done.”
Trump added that should prisoners forget, “it will not be good for them.”
As of Saturday night, only 16 people imprisoned for political reasons had been released, according to Foro Penal, a Venezuelan advocacy group for prisoners. Eight hundred and four remained imprisoned, the group said.
A brother of human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, one of the first to be released and who immediately relocated to Spain, said in a statement that her release “is not full freedom, but rather a precautionary measure substituting deprivation of liberty.” The conditions of her release ban her from speaking to the media.
“This situation does not constitute exile, nor a waiver of her rights, but is part of the humanitarian and diplomatic agreements reached to facilitate her release,” José Manuel San Miguel said of his sister's move to Spain.
Among the prominent members of the country’s political opposition who were detained after the 2024 presidential elections and remain in prison are former lawmaker Freddy Superlano and Perkins Rocha, lawyer for opposition leader María Corina Machado. Juan Pablo Guanipa, a former governor and one of Machado's closest allies, and Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González, also remain imprisoned.
One week after the U.S. military intervention in Caracas, Venezuelans aligned with the government marched in several cities across the country demanding the return of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The pair were captured and transferred to the U.S., where they face charges including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism. Both pleaded not guilty.
In Caracas, many demonstrators waved Venezuelan flags and chanted, “Maduro, keep on going, the people are rising.”
Acting president Delcy Rodríguez, speaking at a public social-sector event in Caracas, again condemned the U.S. military action on Saturday.
“There is a government, that of President Nicolás Maduro, and I have the responsibility to take charge while his kidnapping lasts ... We will not stop condemning the criminal aggression,” she said, referring to Maduro’s ousting.
After the shocking military action that overthrew Maduro, Trump stated the U.S. would “run” the South American country and demanded access to oil resources, which he promised to use “to benefit the people” of both nations.
“I love the Venezuelan people and I am already making Venezuela prosperous and safe again,” Trump said in his Saturday post.
The U.S. and Venezuelan governments on Friday announced they are evaluating the restoration of diplomatic relations, broken since 2019, and the reopening of their respective diplomatic missions. A U.S. delegation visited Venezuela for several hours Friday.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil responded to Pope Leo XIV's statement Friday calling for maintaining peace and “respecting the will of the Venezuelan people.”
“With respect for the Holy Father and his spiritual authority, Venezuela reaffirms that it is a country that builds, works, and defends its sovereignty with peace and dignity,” Gil said in a social media post, inviting the pontiff “to get to know this reality more closely.”
Relatives and friends of political prisoners hold candles calling for their loved ones to be set free outside the Rodeo I prison in Guatire, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 after the government announced prisoners would be released. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Mariana Gonzalez, the daughter of opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, whose husband is detained, waits outside the Rodeo I prison in Guatire, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, after National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said the government would release Venezuelan and foreign prisoners. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Relatives and friends of political prisoners hold banners calling for their loved ones to be set free outside El Helicoide, the headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 after the government announced prisoners would be released.(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Police patrol near El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Narwin Gil cries as she waits for news of her detained sister, Marylyn Gil, outside El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Police patrol near El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A relative embraces Diogenes Angulo after his release from prison in San Francisco de Yare, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Angulo had been detained two days before the 2024 presidential election. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
