Former Special Olympics and Cannonball coach James “JJ” Sabatino has been removed from USA Swimming’s banned list.
Sabatino, who has worked with swimmers with special needs, was added to USA Swimming’s list of individuals permanently suspended or ineligible – also known as the organization’s “banned” list – back in December of 2016. Sabatino had been teaching swimming since at least 1999. Over his career, he started Cannonball Rockingham for swimmers with special needs and had coached for the Cannonball Swim Club in New Hampshire since 2010. He was a national-level Special Olympic coach representing the state of New Hampshire in 2006.
Sabatino was banned under 7 different sections of USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct. Three dealt with inappropriate sexual advances, one with inappropriate touching and three were general statutes banning activities that are “detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming.” You can read more about them here.
As of publication, Sabatino no longer appears on USA Swimming’s banned list after being added last December.
When contacted for official comment about Sabatino’s removal from the list, USA Swimming would only say that “the matter is still pending.”
SwimSwam was unable to reach Sabatino for comment. He is no longer on staff with Cannonball.
He is back on the list
You must be kidding me!?! When is this going to end? Why must his victims continue to be victimized?