Michael Todd issues new statement: an apology, with his age account unchanged
In a video published at 02:12 on October 17 in Vietnam, Todd apologizes to the victim and revisits his earlier livestream. He also describes a prosecutor's letter about grooming allegations; the letter has not been independently authenticated.
Contents
Michael Todd has released A Personal Statement, a video of just under six minutes on his official YouTube channel. It was published at 02:12 on October 17, 2026 in Vietnam, corresponding to October 16 in the United States. Reading prepared remarks, he apologizes to the victim and acknowledges shortcomings in his earlier public response. His account of when he learned her actual age, however, remains unchanged.
0:15–1:08: responsibility and an apology to the victim
Todd says he was 21 and the victim was 13 when the incident occurred, and acknowledges his conviction and imprisonment. He accepts responsibility and says his present statement changes neither her actual age, his conviction nor his responsibility as an adult. These are admissions he makes in the new video.
The significant emphasis is an apology addressed to the victim. Todd says he should have acknowledged her and the harm caused when he first spoke publicly. He says he cannot speak for her about the impact on her life, and recognizes that an apology more than 30 years later cannot undo what happened.
1:12–1:40: his account of believing she was 16 remains
Todd repeats his claim that he believed she was 16 and learned her actual age afterwards. He presents this as an account he has maintained for more than 30 years, while saying it is not an excuse. He does not withdraw that age account in this video.
Accepting responsibility and revising a factual account are separate developments. The apology does not itself settle the dispute over when he knew her age. Repeating an account over many years is also not independent evidence that it is accurate.
1:41–2:21: a claimed prosecutor's letter about grooming allegations
Todd says a person he identifies as the prosecutor who handled his case supplied a signed letter dated October 12. In his description, it says grooming allegations were neither alleged nor supported by evidence during the original investigation and prosecution. He argues that taking responsibility and challenging claims he regards as false can coexist.
This is Todd's description of the letter. Its original text, signature and scope have not been independently matched against the case record. The video therefore does not establish that circulating documents were altered, that all allegations are false, or that a new legal decision overturned his conviction. His comments about grooming also do not independently verify his separate account about age.
2:22–2:45: criticism of his own earlier livestream response
Reflecting on the livestream after the controversy resurfaced, Todd says too much of the conversation centered on what was happening to him and his family. He acknowledges that he should have done a better job recognizing the seriousness of the incident and the woman involved. This is an explicit reassessment of his earlier public response.
The closing remarks: personal change and a request against harassment
From approximately 2:46, Todd describes his faith as central to changing his life after prison. He acknowledges that some people will never forgive him or want to see him compete again. At approximately 4:04–4:31, he asks that neither his family nor the victim and her family face threats or harassment, and says criticism of his actions belongs with him.
The statement does not establish an East vs West return
At the time of checking, EVW's official rankings still explicitly state that Michael Todd has been removed. A personal statement is not a promotion decision reinstating him. The rankings notice also does not establish a permanent worldwide ban by every organization.
Related: EVW explicitly lists Michael Todd as removed from its rankings.
