A prominent U.S. figure skating coach and 1988 Olympic medalist is under investigation for alleged physical abuse of skaters.
Peter Oppegard, 61, is being investigated by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Today reported. SafeSport was created by the U.S. Olympic Committee to look into abuse in Olympic sports.
Oppegard is accused of biting a skater in 2013 and throwing hot liquids on other trainees several times between 2005 and 2018, according to USA Today. During that time, Oppegard worked at East West Ice Palace in Artesia, Calif.
Jessica Pfund, a pairs skater who trained at the rink, told USA Today that Oppegard bit her when she was 15 years old in 2013 while he was angry at her during a practice. Pfund’s mother and another person at the rink confirmed the incident to the outlet.
Two other people, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, told USA Today and SafeSport that Oppegard would throw hot water and coffee at skaters while training them at the California rink.
Pfund stopped training under Oppegard in 2014, USA Today reported. Safesport, which has been criticized for lacking power and independence from the USOC, began investigating Oppegard in July 2020 and contacted Pfund later that month.
It’s unknown how the inquiry began. Pfund told USA Today that Safesport investigators came to her, and said she never reported the 2013 bite because she and her mother worried about the consequences for Oppegard’s family.
Oppegard is married to Karen Kwan, Michelle Kwan’s older sister, but the two are now estranged, according to USA Today. Oppegard and Karen Kwan trained skaters together at the Artesia ice palace and have two children.
Oppegard and his partner Jill Watson are the last American skaters to medal in pairs skating, taking home bronze at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
