US Olympic pairs figure skating coach Dalilah Sappenfield banned for life for misconduct

U.S. Olympic pairs figure skating coach Dalilah Sappenfield, under investigation for 2½ years, was banned for life Wednesday afternoon by the U.S. Center for SafeSport for violations including physical and emotional misconduct, retaliation, abuse of process and failure to report a potential SafeSport violation.

“Culture change is happening,” SafeSport CEO Ju’Riese Colon said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports after Sappenfield’s permanent ineligibility was announced on the SafeSport Centralized Disciplinary Database.

“Actions that were once tolerated or ignored are no longer accepted, and accountability is taking root,” she said. “That’s progress but creating long-term culture change requires steadfast commitment by everyone in the sport community to fostering safe environments for athletes to fulfill their potential. Those who cling to toxic tactics will be left behind and on the wrong side of history.”

Sappenfield did not immediately reply to a text message from USA TODAY Sports after her punishment was announced. She has the right to appeal the lifetime ban.