Scott Blackmun resigns as CEO of U.S. Olympic Committee

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Scott Blackmun stepped down as chief executive of the U.S. Olympic Committee due to health concerns, the organization announced Wednesday.

The USOC said Blackmun, who has served as CEO since 2010, was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

"Given Scott's current health situation, we have mutually agreed it is in the best interest of both Scott and the USOC that we identify new leadership so that we can immediately address the urgent initiatives ahead of us," USOC Chairman Larry Probst said in a statement.

Probst said Blackmun's resignation comes at a "critical" time for the USOC, which is dealing with the fallout of the conviction of Dr. Larry Nassar for sexually abusing 168 women and girls as part of his work with USA Gymnastics.

In January, Blackmun sent a letter to the USA Gymnastics Board outlining steps the governing body must take to stay certified.

"In the case of USA Gymnastics, the USOC Board and our new working group believe that necessary action includes implementing governance reform," Blackburn said in the letter. "We believe that reform must start with an entirely new board."

"The USOC is at a critical point in its history," Probst said. "The important work that Scott started needs to continue and will require especially vigorous attention in light of Larry Nassar's decades-long abuse of athletes affiliated with USA Gymnastics."

The USOC named board member Susanne Lyons as acting CEO as it searches for Blackmun's replacement.