Category: parents

When we first heard in April 2020 Haney‘s suspension was 8 years, I was surprised. Obviously USAG had strong evidence.

She failed “to provide a safe, positive and healthy environment with a culture of trust and empowerment.”

I’d not heard her respond until a recent NY Times interview.

The gymternet reaction was critical. Some called the article a fluff piece, not an interview. Some felt it was just part of a coordinated PR campaign to reinvent her reputation.

NY Times reporter Juliet Macur is well credentialed, by the way. And an athlete. Captain of the Columbia University rowing team.

NEXT we learned an arbitrator reduced the USA Gymnastics suspension for physical, verbal and emotional abuse from eight to five years.

Haney has also been named in a series of civil lawsuits filed in New Jersey by the families of former MG Elite gymnasts who allege they were physically, verbally and emotionally abused, body shamed and pressured to compete and train while injured by the coach. …

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The Skating Lesson interviewed more than a dozen gymnasts, parents and family members who have trained under Maggie Haney and Vicky Levine at MG Elite.

Listen to those interviews here.

As we celebrate Human Rights Day and reflect upon the significance of empowerment and advocacy, we are proud to introduce the USA Gymnastics Athlete Bill of Rights.

All athletes have the right to: 

* Participate in gymnastics

* Train and compete safely

* Have their personal health and wellness prioritized

* Be treated with dignity and respect

* Receive proper instruction

* Provide input on matters that directly affect them

* Voice opinions on issues that affect the gymnastics community

* Expect integrity and transparency

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If you are not a subscriber, there’s a copy on The Morning Call:

If she could travel back in time, before she was suspended from gymnastics after being accused of berating and mistreating her athletes, including an Olympic champion, Maggie Haney says she would change the way she coached. …

… “Maybe what used to be OK is not OK anymore, and maybe it shouldn’t be. I think maybe the culture has shifted.” …

Haney said the accusations against her — particularly those from Hernandez, whom she coached from age 6 — had come out of nowhere, and she vehemently denied them.  …

Riley McCusker, who has a good chance of making the U.S. team for the Tokyo Games, filed a lawsuit against Haney last month. …

A gymnastics coach accused of emotional abuse speaks out: ‘I cared too much’

Aside from Maggie’s friends and some former gymnasts, most coaches I talk to feel the penalties decided by USAG were harsh but appropriate.

Spencer had the most entertaining reaction to the interview.

Read Stephanie Ventura’s response – An Open Letter to the New York Times Regarding Gymnastics, Abuse, and Sub-standard Journalism

The #1 complaint I’m hearing from coaches.

There have been no COVID super spreader events in Gymnastics clubs, yet (in some areas) riskier venues are allowed to stay open.

Churches. Shopping Centres. Bars. Etc.