Gabel resigns from speedskating committees after abuse claims

Andy Gabel has stepped down from International Skating Union and U.S. Speedskating committees after being accused of a sexual relationship with an underage skater in the 1990s.

ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta said Monday that Gabel stepped down as head of the short track committee. U.S. speedskating spokeswoman Tamara Castellano said Gabel also resigned from the Hall of Fame committee.

Gabel competed in four Olympics as a short track skater, including 1988 as a demonstration sport. He was part of a silver medal-winning relay team at the 1994 Lillehammer Games.

Gabel issued a statement to media outlets in Chicago and Milwaukee saying he “displayed poor judgment in a brief and inappropriate relationship with a female teammate.” Bridie Farrell says she was 15 and Gabel 33 when their relationship began in 1997.