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This interview with Geno Auriemma, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, UConn has gone viral. Millions of views.
Though gymnasts are amongst the most humble of all athletes, this is still an important message for coaches.
Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.
Thanks Dorina.
Originally aired on 3/20/2017
ESPN investigative reporter John Barr discusses the rise of USA Gymnastics, the national team coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi, and the national team physician Dr. Lawrence Nassar, and the abuse allegations against all three parties.
GUESTS: John Barr , Dominique Moceanu , Jamie Dantzscher , Jeanette Antolin , Jessica Howard , John Manly
Watch the full episode online free.
(via Mike Canales)
Over and over again people keep asking how Larry Nassar got away with what he did for so long.
Many elite gymnasts are irrationally dedicated. They are literally brainwashed.
Recall Goldman’s dilemma? Athletes were asked if they were willing to die in 5 years for sporting success NOW. Many said yes.
1992 Olympian Wendy Bruce Martin (who never worked with Nassar) reflects back on what she was willing to do for Olympic qualification:
I was willing to give anything to gymnastics and I was willing to give everything. …
As long as I could perform my skills, I was willing to ignore the advice from my Doctor. When my Doctors told me to take time off of gymnastics to heal, I didn’t. …
There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do to make the Olympics. When I needed to lose a little weight, I took the cheap and easy way out. Bulimia was my little secret. I was Bulimic for about a year and a half before the Olympics. …
Parents and coaches need be aware that dedication can be psychosis. Mental health is as important as physical health.
Through his work in the gymnastics community, Butcher said he’s known Dr. Larry Nasser for about 25 years. Nasser, who treated some of the most famous Olympic gymnasts in recent history, is facing 23 sexual abuse charges, and has been accused by more than 80 girls and women that he sexually abused them during treatments. …
“I know them personally. I know them, I know their coaches, I’ve known their families, their husbands and kids now,” he told WBIR 10News. “It’s not just shocking, it’s devastating. I feel like it’s a weight on my heart when they tell me what they’ve endured.” …
“Everybody is putting more safety precautions up. The gyms here in Knoxville are really cautious, background checking their staff and doing everything they can to protect their young athletes.”
Butcher said it’s important, too, for parents to look out for their kids and make sure they are working with coaches who no only make them a better athlete, but a better person. …
“My personal effort is going to be in the future to do anything we can worldwide, not just in the U.S., to develop programs where athletes feel more reassured if they come forward about a abuse case, but to advise the parents and athletes to prevent them. That’s my mission,” …
‘Shocking, heartbreaking’: Olympic gymnastics judge says sexual abuse scandal can lead to change
I’m certain there is more abuse in totalitarian States than in Democracies. 😦
“Hallelujah!!” said former U.S. national team member Doe Yamashiro, who in a 2011 Orange County Register investigation said she was sexually abused by Peters.
“I think it’s an important first step, but we’re not going to get a different type of leadership developing until we really change the nuts and bolts of the sport’s culture in general. This is really a long term re-haul that is going to take a lot of effort and education, education of the public and the sponsorship, the gymnasts, coaches and parents.” …
“We don’t see this as the end of the scandal or the end of the need for USA Gymnastics to enact reforms,” said Manly,who represents more than 70 of Nassar’s alleged victims. “This is just the end of the beginning. It wasn’t just Steve Penny that looked the other way when children were being sexually abused. There were a lot of other longtime board members who looked the other way when this was happening and they need to go to.”
In particular, Manly singled out Parilla, who has served on the USA Gymnastics board of directors since 1999 and has been chairman since 2015. …
“They have yet to even say ‘I’m sorry’ to their victims,” Manly said. “Even the Catholic bishops did that.” …
SCOTT M. REID – Critics say Steve Penny’s resignation not enough in wake of sex abuse allegations involving USA Gymnastics
UPDATE – Jessica O’Beirne of @GymCastic has been following this issue closely. She details many possible next steps on the GymCastic #244: Russian Nationals & Gymnix 2017 audiocast. (Posted just before Penny’s resignation.)
Coaches should review this article with their athletes.
Sport Psychologist Rebecca Smith posted an excellent, detailed breakdown of ways to overcome fear of failure.
Examples of Controllables:
Effort
Attitude
Focus
Confidence
Commitment
Composure
Diet
Rest
Preparation
Reactions
Examples of Let-go-ables:
Opponents
Officials
Crowd
Coaches
Teammates
Parents
Friends
Playing time/competition order
Injuries
Travel days
Scheduling
Weather
Equipment
Academic demands
via Tony Smith
As expected.
Paul Parilla, USA Gymnastics Board of Directors chairman:
“The Board believes this change in leadership will help USA Gymnastics face its current challenges and implement solutions to move the organization forward in promoting a safe environment for its athletes at all levels. …”
NOW the USAG must take action. They’ve been far too slow. Mostly talk.
Steve Penny is no more than 1% to blame. His resignation — so far — changes nothing.
We recommend experienced, certified coaches in the safest facilities.
via @GymCastic
Anastasiya was a super talented gymnast who had many problems during her career.
You may have heard a rumour that she’s currently homeless. Not quite.
While it seems crazy to many Western people that Grishina at 21 is married and has a 8-month baby, it’s actually also a pretty normal age in Russia to get married and have kids.
Another comment: when the article talks about Grishina being “on the streets” or “thrown off to the street” it doesn’t mean she’s literally homeless. It’s an expression in Russian that means someone lost the place they used to live in or they were thrown away from home, but it doesn’t mean that they now don’t have any place to live. It’s sort of a poetic exaggeration. She actually rents an apartment. It’s not an ideal situation and rents are sky high in Moscow, but she’s not living on the streets, so don’t worry about that. …
Click through for details – Luba (Israeli Gym Nerd) – Grishina’s story
(via Gymternet)
The best post I’ve seen yet on the Dr. Larry Nassar scandal:
With the information we currently have – I too want to make some one pay. This must be someone’s fault. Someone should have done something 20 years ago. The reality is that no one I knew suspected anything. If we had, we would have reported it. …
read more – USA Gymnastics – It’s about being a professional.
Why did USAG keep Nassar so long? Why didn’t someone in the organization flag his illegal behaviour sooner? Why don’t they react more quickly.
But to blame one person — CEO Steve Penny — is simplistic and shortsighted. He’s no more than 1% to blame. What about all the other coaches, officials, administrators, medical staff and judges?
There are dozens of changes that need be implemented at the family, club, State, Region and National level. There is no quick fix.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 