SafeSport investigating U.S. fencer Andrew Doddo
U.S. fencer Andrew Doddo, who is set to compete at the world championships starting Saturday in Italy, is under investigation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Fencing confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Monday.
The news comes less than three weeks after Alen Hadzic, the U.S. fencer who went to the Tokyo Olympics as an alternate despite being under investigation for sexual misconduct, was declared permanently ineligible by SafeSport.
SafeSport is an independent body tasked by Congress with protecting athletes in the Olympic movement.
Doddo declined to discuss the matter with USA TODAY Sports, other than to say, “It’s just like an untrue case that normally happens when successful fencers make a national team for the first time.’’
Doddo, who made the national team in April, later claimed there was no investigation.
But USA Fencing said it received notice from SafeSport that an allegation had been made against Doddo “for engaging in behavior that, if true, violates the SafeSport code.”
“As such, USA Fencing has imposed temporary safety measures while the U.S. Center for SafeSport conducts their investigation, to the extent we are permitted given the Center's exclusive jurisdiction,’’ USA Fencing said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. “The safety plan includes supervision during domestic and international tournaments.’’
SafeSport did not immediately respond to a request for information about the investigation.
Doddo, 24, is expected to compete in the saber event both individually and as a member of the team at the FIE Fencing World Championships in Milan. In June, at the Pan-American Senior Championships, Doddo won the men’s individual saber event and won first in the men’s team event.
USA Fencing provided no details about the safety plan it will impose on Doddo during the world championships.
“As the U.S. Center for SafeSport has accepted jurisdiction over the matter, and per the SafeSport Code, we are unfortunately not permitted to share any details beyond this statement,’’ USA Fencing said, “and the Center does not share full details of the allegations or investigation with National Governing Bodies.’’
Doddo was a member of the fencing team at Columbia from 2016 to 2021, according to his online bio. Hadzic also fenced at Columbia from 2010 to 2012 and was suspended from the school after a Title IX complaint of sexual assault was filed against him.
Contributing: Nancy Armour
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fencer Andrew Doddo being investigated by U.S. Center for SafeSport
