Alen Hadzic

Alen Hadzic (Alen Hadžić; born November 15, 1991) is an American former épée fencer. In 2023, he was ranked 361st in the world in men's épée.

In 2013, Hadzic was suspended by Columbia University for one year due to a sexual assault allegation. on November 15, 1991. He later moved to West Orange. He is fluent in Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian. and attended Montclair High School ('10). There, he fenced épée for the fencing team.

College Hadzic then attended Columbia University. There, he fenced épée for two years for the Columbia Lions under head coach Michael Aufrichtig (who later served on the USA Fencing board of directors).

Title IX suspension While he was attending Columbia University, a complaint of sexual abuse by Hadzic as he pinned her down was lodged against him with the university by a student, and an investigation under Title IX was undertaken. At the time, he already had a reputation for targeting drunk women at parties. Due to the results of the investigation which found him responsible, Hadzic was suspended by Columbia University for the 2013-14 year, and kicked off the fencing team.

Fencing career 2013–19 Though Hadzic was banned from representing Columbia University, he wasn't banned from fencing at large. Both the victim and Hadzic were USA Fencing members. That same year, a young woman said, Hadzic groped her. But later that month an arbitrator, who reviewed the suspension without hearing from any of Hadzic's accusers, though she left in place a directive for Hadzic not to contact his accusers, lifted the temporary suspension until his investigation was complete. USA Fencing imposed a "safety plan" to keep Hadzic away from other athletes in Tokyo for their safety, including requiring him to fly to Tokyo separately from his teammates, requiring him to stay at a separate remote hotel that was outside the Olympic Village where his teammates were housed, and banning him from practicing near female teammates. They wrote that they "vehemently oppose" Hadzic living in the Olympic Village, saying: We are all aware of the accusations of sexual assault raised against Alen. Many of us have been bystanders and/or witnesses to his conduct, over many years. We, the athletes, will feel extremely unsafe and uncomfortable should Alen be transferred to live in the Olympic Village. Hundreds of other US athletes, coaches, and staff, not to mention the thousands of international Olympic stakeholders staying in the village, will be unknowingly also put at risk due to Alen’s presence.

While taking a team photo at the Games, three of Hadzic's Team USA teammates in protest wore pink COVID-19 masks, while standing next to him as he alone wore a black mask. Hadzic reacted by later confronting two of the fencers, and chewing them out. In a call between USA Fencing’s executives and board members about the Hadzic matter, at-large director David Alperstein waved off concerns, saying: "This will all blow over."

In October 2021, USA Fencing blocked Hadzic from entering any competitions "for the foreseeable future, except to the extent it is legally compelled to do so."

2022–present By July 2022, at least six women had filed claims of sexual misconduct, including rape, against Hadzic with SafeSport. His ban prohibits him from participating "in any capacity, in any event, program, activity, or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the National Governing Bodies recognized by the USOPC, a Local Affiliated Organization as defined by the [SafeSport] Code, or at a facility under the exclusive jurisdiction of the same."

In December 2023, SafeSport's decision to permanently ban Hadzic was upheld on appeal, ensuring that he is never again allowed to compete in [U.S.] fencing competitions. USA Fencing issued a statement saying that the decision: "should serve as a stern warning to everyone that conduct that is threatening, harmful or inappropriate toward anyone in our sport will not be tolerated."