Category: parents

Jordyn Wieber on Nassar

… “It’s really hard to hear knowing what some of my own friends and teammates went through that. I just want to support them and be there for them.”

“Now that it’s all out in the open, there can be a lot of positive change in our sport because it is one of the greatest sports in the world, in my opinion.” …

Jordyn Wieber supports teammates and hopes for safer USA Gymnastics program

Jordyn’s back in Michigan for that interview. Of course she trained at Larry Nassar’s home club Twistars in Michigan. Nassar volunteered there for more than 20 years. Twistars gymnasts are amongst Nassar’s accusers.

USA CEO Kerry Perry – empowerment

First day on the job. Kerry Perry:

… As a mom, there is nothing more important to me than the safety and welfare of our athletes and promoting an environment where everyone has a voice. …

A culture of empowerment means ensuring that our athletes are encouraged to speak up on difficult issues, such as abuse or misconduct; our members and parents are supported; our staff and partners are highly engaged; and our board and constituents are aligned. Being empowered allows all of us to focus on learning and thriving in a sport we all love so much. …

A message to the USA Gymnastics community from Kerry Perry on her first day

Her statement uses the word empowerment 11 times. It’s a good word.

empowerment

authority or power given to someone to do something …

the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights

Like most people I’m still not convinced that anything has really changed at USA Gymnastics. I hope I’m wrong.

She lists these initiatives that could actually make gymnasts safer in future:

Creating a dedicated, toll-free number – 1-833-844-SAFE – to report abuse. The dedicated phone line and the safe sport email address (safesport@usagym.org) simplify the process for reporting.

Building an Athlete Task Force. The voices of our athletes, especially regarding prevention, are important, and I want to provide a format that encourages sharing of ideas and perspectives as we build an empowered culture.

Listening Forums. Meeting with and listening to our gymnastics community, partners and constituents are critically important to our efforts. Joined by our safe sport and senior staff members, I will be on the road visiting our member clubs, not only to share our strategic plan and vision, but also, more importantly, to listen, educate and support our athletes, club owners, parents and members to build an empowered organization together.

Best case scenario Kerry Perry names Aly Raisman to the Athlete Task Force. At that point I could start believing USA is serious.

 

 

Serena Williams wants her daughter to play sports

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

That’s Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

Nasser pleads guilty

I expect and hope Nassar will be in prison for the rest of his life.

He is expected to face at least 25 years in prison. I’m guessing there will be additional court cases in other jurisdictions adding to that sentence.

Olympic champion Aly Raisman hopes drawing attention to abuse will be her greatest legacy

What is the U.S. medical community doing to discipline criminals like Nassar?

Aly supports Gabby

This is what leadership looks like.

Gabby was also abused by Nassar

A representative for the Olympian confirmed the authenticity of the post and that Douglas says she was molested by Nassar …

…  Douglas explained why she had not joined the other accusers until now.

“I didn’t publicly share my experiences as well as many other things because for years we were conditioned to stay silent and honestly some things were extremely painful,” she wrote. “I wholeheartedly support my teammates for coming forward with what happened to them.” …

NBC

Nick Ruddock’s advice for your Gym

It All Starts With a Vision
INVEST Time in Communicating Your Culture
Leadership Should be Demonstrated at All Levels
It’s Your Ship
Be Accountable
Develop ‘Buy In’
Be a Role Model
Encourage Diversity
Remove Toxicity
Avoid the 3 C’s
… Complaining, Comparing and Criticizing

10 Quick Tips

Click through for details.

Kathy Johnson Clarke on victim shaming

Kathy Johnson was team captain for USA at the 1984 Olympics Los Angeles.

At that time she trained at SCATS with the infamous Don Peters, now banned from USA Gymnastics for life.

Read Kathy’s statement on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/kathy-johnson-clarke/whats-on-my-mind/1930904166925335/

(via wogymnast)

U.S. Men’s Future Stars

The Future Stars National Championships showcase the USA’s top 10-, 11-, 12- and 13-year-old male gymnasts …

In addition to the competition, Future Stars athletes and their parents participate in workshop activities that feature lectures, technical presentations, and hands-on coaching sessions. …

The Future Stars program is designed is to identify talented athletes and to start them on the right developmental path to national and international success.

USAG – McCafferty, Bottarini, Petrosyan, Shamah win 2017 Future Stars all-around titles

Aly Raisman: I am a victim of sexual abuse

We all need thank Aly and her parents for having the courage to speak out on 60 Minutes. Gymnasts look up to Aly for leadership. More gymnasts will be empowered to speak out when they feel uncomfortable in the presence of a groomer. Coaches and parents will be more cautious in future.

I’m disappointed that USA Gymnastics did not have a spokesperson interviewed in this feature.

… We were told he is the best doctor. He’s the United States Olympic doctor and the USA Gymnastics doctor, and we were very lucky we were able to see him. …

About 165,000 athletes and 3,400 gyms are members of USA Gymnastics. Raisman is calling for major changes in personnel, training, and education to keep athletes safe. …

USA Gymnastics has a long-standing policy that adults should “avoid being alone with a minor.” Despite that policy, Raisman says she was alone with Dr. Nassar. He treated her and other athletes in their hotel rooms during competitions abroad. …

It got even harder in the summer of 2015 — a year before the Rio Games — when an investigator hired by USA Gymnastics paid Raisman a visit. A coach had raised concerns about Dr. Nassar’s treatment of athletes. Raisman says she was caught off guard when the investigator asked her about it. …

After she returned from Rio, she says she spoke with FBI agents who had opened an investigation of Larry Nassar. …

Watch it on 60 Minutes – full interview (14 min)

There are two additional Overtime features via that link.