Stand Up for U.S. Short Track

To:  the United States Olympic Committee and US Speedskating

We, the undersigned, urge the United States Olympic Committee ("USOC") to intervene immediately to ensure that US Speedskating ("USS") takes action on the following issues, which are of great concern to U.S. short track athletes and fans alike:

1. First, on the matter of Stephen Gough: USS must reinstate Stephen Gough as Short Track National Coach, effectively immediately, in accordance with the expressed wishes of the U.S. short track athletes. Stephen Gough has a strategic plan for the U.S. short track program through 2006 and beyond. One season was not enough time to allow him to execute that plan. We believe that dismissing Stephen Gough was a mistake, and puts in jeopardy the success of our short track team as well as that of the individual skaters both in the next season and heading toward the Torino Games in 2006.

2. Further, with regard to USS decision-making policies and practices: USS must alter its policies and practices to be open, transparent and accountable to the athletes and their concerns, particularly on critical matters such as the selection, hiring and evaluation of coaches. USS currently makes these decisions behind closed doors, with minimum input from those who are most directly affected by these decisions and have the most at stake -- the athletes.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Stand Up for U.S. Short Track Petition to the United States Olympic Committee and US Speedskating was created by and written by Noelle Neu.  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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