Former Olympian Sues USA Swimming Over Sex Abuse

SEATTLE, WA - A former Olympic athlete and University of Washington champion swimmer is suing USA Swimming, alleging that the organization turned a blind eye to years of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her coach.

Ariana Kukors Smith, 28, of Federal Way, revealed the lawsuit Monday in Seattle. Her former coach, Tom Hutchison, is under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security over sex abuse allegations, but he has not yet been charged. He has previously denied Smith's accusations.

Smith's attorney, Robert Allard, said Monday that Hutchison abused Smith for about a decade. The lawsuit alleges Hutchison began "grooming" Smith for abuse at age 13. She began being molested at age 16, according to the suit. At the time, Smith was training at the Mt. Rainier Pool in Des Moines.

The suit claims that officials at USA Swimming, the governing body for the sport, knew about the alleged abuse beginning around 2005 - but did nothing.

"USA Swimming was well aware that Hutchison was involved in an inappropriate relationship with [Smith]," the suit reads.

USA Swimming released a statement Monday praising Smith for coming forward about the allegations. But the organization did not address the allegations in the suit.

Smith now lives in California and the suit was filed in Orange County Superior Court.

Caption: Swimmers warm up during day two of the TYR Pro Swim Series, a USA Swimming event, at the Skyline Aquatic Center on April 13, 2018 in Mesa, Ariz.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images