heidi and multiple other women came forward to report similar claims of sexual misconduct against gene lopezpez has denied the allegations. the governing body of the sport, usa tae kwon do, promised to investigate. but the 2016 summer olympics were fast approaching, and usa tae kwon do permitted gene lopez to coach the u.s. team despite being under investigation. >> it's like, oh, okay, so money and medals are what's important to you, not what happened to the victims. >> reporter: the sports world was just waking up to the depths of an epidemic it had long ignored. >> olympic scandal, the bombshell allegations against a former team usa gymnastics doctor -- >> reporter: sexual abuse scandal in usa gymnastics was sparking headlines around the world, and there was a growing consensus that sports federations could not be trusted to police themselves. olympic leaders were forced to take action. >> everyone loves a champion. >> reporter: they created the u.s. center for safe sport, a new independent watchdog organization to investigate allegations of abuse and misconduct. heidi's case would be one