Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street has been charged with domestic violence and assault. Police said she pushed her father down the stairs in their Utah home in December. She has been charged with misdemeanor domestic violence in the presence of a child and misdemeanor assault.
In police documents released today, the skier admitted to locking her father Roland "Stubby" Street in the basement after pushing him. She called the authorities shortly thereafter.
Picabo claimed the dispute arose Dec. 23 when Roland collided with the side of her house. The conflict escalated inside when, in the presence of her children, her father pulled her hair.
Roland told police that Picabo took him by the shoulder and pushed him down two flights of stairs. Police noted cuts on Roland's elbow and neck, according to ABC.
Jason Richards, Picabo's attorney, said she denies any responsibility in the incident that she regards as a private family dispute. He remains optimistic that a plea deal can be reached, according to the Associated Press.
During a hearing Dec. 28, Picabo said she plans to plead not guilty.
Picabo joined the U.S. Ski Team at the age of 17. She won a silver medal in the downhill at the 1994 Winter Olympics. A year later, she became the first American woman to win a World Cup skiing title (she won in the downhill). Her career culminated in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics where she won the gold in super G. A month after the win, she careened off course during the last World Cup downhill race of the season. She broke her femur and tore a ligament in her right knee. She stayed in rehabilitation for two years after the accident.
