After allegations that he bit a female skater, figure skating coach Peter Oppergard has been suspended pending an investigation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. The coach was working for the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, California, between 2005 and 2018. Oppegard has also been accused of throwing coffee and hot water on skaters. His former partner, Jill Watson, is the last American to win an Olympic medal in pairs skating.
Oppegard allegedly bit a female skater in the arm
The U.S. SafeSport Center is investigating the alleged incident after a female skater complained that her coach Peter Oppergard bit her arm in 2013. Oppegard is a bronze medalist from the 1988 Olympics and is a world-renowned figure skating coach. The bite mark was discovered by the skater’s mom soon after the attack. SafeSport contacted Pfund and Oppegard to investigate the claim.
The former U.S. Olympian is a popular figure skating coach and a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. The investigation is ongoing. The alleged incident occurred in 2013 when Oppergard was coaching at the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, Calif. The center’s report noted “physical and emotional misconduct” by Oppegard. The skater was only 15 when the alleged incident took place.
Oppegard suspended pending investigation by U.S. Center for SafeSport
The Center for SafeSport has opened an investigation into allegations of abuse against Olympic figure skating coach Peter Oppergard. Oppegard has been suspended pending the investigation. He coached at the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, California, from 2005 to 2018. He was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2004 and won three national championships with his partner, Jill Watson. In addition to the 1988 Olympics, Oppegard and Watson won three national championships and a bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships.
The Center for SafeSport is investigating allegations of abuse against Peter Oppegard, a figure skating coach and former Olympic medalist. The accusations of abuse against Oppegard include throwing hot water and coffee at skaters. The athlete has been suspended for six months pending the investigation. Oppegard has been named one of the 50 most influential people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Oppegard’s mother worried about his family’s future
On Sunday, Peter Oppegard’s mother died. He was spending the holidays with his family in Farragut, Tennessee. Though he was not born in Knoxville, he calls East Tennessee home. Six of his seven siblings attended Farragut High School, including Oppegard. He is thrilled to be receiving the Olympic torch from Pat Summitt, although he knows he can’t replace Peyton Manning as a reference.
Oppegard’s mother is a former U.S. figure skater. Her mother was afraid that her son would lose his chance at Olympic success, which he didn’t want. Her mother was also worried about Oppegard’s future and that of his family. Fortunately, the family has several resources. A skateboarding rink in Artesia was one of the first things his parents did to help him.
Oppegard’s former partner Jill Watson is the last American to win an Olympic medal in pairs skating
The team was comprised of two Americans, Oppegard and Watson. The two partnered after the 1984 Winter Olympics and quickly rose to prominence. In 1988, they won three Olympic medals for the United States, including one bronze. They had previously won two bronzes in the national competition in 1983 and 1984. In 1985, they started competing together and quickly won several medals.
Oppegard’s former partner Jill’s mother is a famous figure skater, who is in the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. However, in 2013, Oppegard allegedly bit a teenage female skater during a training session. The skater’s mother noticed a bite mark and reported it to the police immediately. A SafeSport investigation into the incident began in July 2020. This investigation was also looking into allegations that Oppegard had threw hot water, coffee, and other substances at the skaters.
Oppegard is the estranged husband of Karen Kwan
Peter Oppergard is a former professional figure skater who was married to a figure skater named Karen Kwan. Karen Kwan was the older sister of Olympic champion Michelle Kwan and trained at the Artesia ice rink. The pair won three national championships and a world championship bronze. However, Oppergard and Kwan separated in 1997, and the two have not spoken to each other since.
The two had three children together, but their marriage was troubled. During the investigation, SafeSport contacted Oppergard and Karen Kwan. The couple has two children under the age of 10. Oppegard is currently training with Joshua Santillan, who finished in the top 10 at the U.S. National Championships in 2016, 2017 and 2020. It is unclear if the two are still involved.
