Ex-Olympic athlete and veteran track coach Conrad Mainwaring admitted guilt on Thursday to molesting boys at a western Massachusetts sports camp in the 1970s.
Mainwaring, a hurdler for Antigua and Barbuda in the 1976 Summer Olympics, faced 12 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child over 14 and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in Berkshire Superior Court. The charges involved nine male victims.
Prosecutors revealed a disturbing pattern wherein Mainwaring utilized his Olympic background to groom boys at Camp Greylock, persuading them that the abuse would enhance their athletic abilities.
The assaults occurred in various locations around the camp, including the woods, a van, and near a tennis court. Mainwaring, now 72 years old and residing in Los Angeles, molested campers from 1975 to 1979.
As each accusation was read out at the Massachusetts hearing, Mainwaring, clad in a wheelchair and donning a mask, acknowledged the wrongdoing. Some of the victims were as young as 13 when the assault occurred, and they described the pain they suffered and asked for justice.
Massachusetts Inquiry Exposes Mainwaring’s Conduct
Survivor John Shapiro stressed the need for a long prison term to stop Mainwaring from hurting anyone. others. Shapiro described the profound impact the abuse had on his life, expressing the enduring pain and suffering.
Michael Waxman, another victim, confronted Mainwaring, expressing his initial admiration for the coach and the subsequent betrayal he experienced. Waxman detailed how the abuse shattered his innocence and left him with feelings of shame and disgust.
Mainwaring, largely avoiding eye contact with the victims, remained silent throughout their statements. Following an ESPN report in 2019, other individuals came forward with complaints, which prompted the Massachusetts inquiry into Mainwaring’s behavior to commence. A major step toward the victims’ justice was taken in 2021 with his arrest.
Attorney Saul Wolf commended the efforts of law enforcement, the district attorney, and the brave individuals who shared their stories. Wolf emphasized the importance of holding institutions like Syracuse University and Camp Greylock accountable for their roles in allowing Mainwaring’s abuse to occur.
As Mainwaring faces the consequences of his actions, it is crucial to acknowledge the resilience of the survivors and their pursuit of justice, while also advocating for systemic changes to prevent similar abuses from happening in the future.
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