The Center for SafeSport has ruled Jamie Steffen permanently ineligible for membership with USA Track & Field.
This means he cannot coach or compete at any USATF sanctioned event, and his club is not a USATF club.
I support the efforts of SafeSport and USA Track & Field to make our sport safer. It is disappointing that the first suspension issued by the Center for SafeSport in our sport came from the pole vaulting community, but some pole vaulting clubs are creating environments similar to those found in gymnastics that leave athletes susceptible to abuse.
It is my hope that all coaches and clubs will take the SafeSport training seriously and use the opportunity to ensure they have policies in place that create a healthy environment for their athletes.
