Mike Plant, a 1980 US Olympic speedskater and executive for Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, was named as interim president of US Speedskating on Tuesday by its board of directors.
Only 11 months before the Sochi Winter Olympics, the former US Olympic Committee director and Goodwill Games president will assume control of a group that has struggled with financial and internal issues.
“I applaud US Speedskating for taking decisive action. This leadership adjustment is a necessary first step to affect substantial change,” US Olympic Committee chief executive Scott Blackmun said.
“With Mike Plant as its new president, as well as continued assistance and support from the USOC, US Speedskating has the ability to create a positive environment moving forward.”
Plant is expected to have the interim tag removed from his title at a board of directors meeting in May.
“This is a crucial time for US Speedskating and I hope to be able to help propel this great sport forward,” Plant said. “My focus for the organization will be on building a support and service system for our elite level athletes and working on developing our athlete pipeline.”
Last year, a group of short track skaters quit the national program seeking the removal of the coaching staff for physical and emotional abuse. Two coaches resigned after admitting they were aware of a skate-tampering incident by a US skater.
Others have questioned the amount of help the governing body has given to top athletes given its financial struggles.
“We’ve certainly had our ups and downs over the last several months, but having someone with Mike’s experience on board will go a long way to putting us back on the right track,” US Speedskating executive director Mark Greenwald said.
Plant takes charge of US Speedskating
