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U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun resigns

Blackmun's 'ongoing health issues resulting from prostate cancer' were cited as the reason for his immediate resignation, the USOC said in a statement.
Credit: Maxx Wolfson
PARK CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 25: USOC CEO Scott Blackmun addresses the media during the Team USA Media Summit ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games on September 25, 2017 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun unexpectedly resigned on Wednesday.

Blackmun’s “ongoing health issues resulting from prostate cancer” were cited as the reason for his immediate resignation, the USOC said in a statement. His departure also comes as the USOC faces public backlash and three congressional inquiries into the organization's handling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case and similar abuse allegations with other sports under the USOC umbrella.

“Given Scott’s current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership so that we can immediately address the urgent initiatives ahead of us,” USOC chairman Larry Probst said in a statement.

“The USOC is at a critical point in its history. The important work that Scott started needs to continue and will require especially vigorous attention in light of Larry Nassar’s decades-long abuse of athletes affiliated with USA Gymnastics. We will be working with key stakeholders to help identify a permanent successor to Scott."

USOC board member Susanne Lyons will serve as interim CEO as a search begins for a permanent replacement. Blackmun had been the CEO since 2010.

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