Category: safety

suspension lifted for Dan Witenstein

I’m not clear on exactly what USAG uses to sanction members.

A neutral arbitrator felt USAG got it wrong in the case of this coach.

Mike Outram – paralyzed Gymnastics coach

Tony Retrosi:

At the NO LIMITS Camp in Calgary Mike coached Beam. Immediately after that we headed down to Lethbridge Alberta to do a Boys Camp. Watching him break a skill down and explaining drills is a thing of beauty. He is a bit shaky when he walks but his confidence in the gym more than makes up for it. Give this man a cape and call him a superhero.

Mike Outram (second from the left) is a character. If you’ve met him once, you remember him.

I recall first hearing that Mike had been paralyzed from hitting concrete at the bottom of a foam pit coming off tramp. Hearing that he’d never walk again.

This tragedy was big news in Canada. Everyone checked their pits to see if any concrete could be somehow exposed.

Some months later Mike unexpectedly arrived at a Gymnastics event. He walked in through an open side door of the Gym.

… I thought you were paralyzed?

Mike: That’s what they tell me.

It’s an incredible story. The power of the mind over the body. Mike’s still improving. Click over to GymMomentum.

My Journey and What I Learned from Gymnastics. Mr. Michael Outram

over 100 gymnasts – Arthur Ashe Courage Award

Aly in the Heroes Issue of ESPN

ALY RAISMAN TAKES THE FLOOR

In her fight to end sexual abuse, the Olympic champion is challenging the very institutions she led to glory.

related – Sister survivors: 12 women, part of the army that brought down Larry Nassar, share their story

I remain so impressed that it’s the athletes pushing this issue forward. Not USAG, not the American Medical Association, not the NCAA, not IOC. Not coaches.

can we trust Police Background Checks?

I don’t think so. They are not always correct. Not always up-to-date.

For example …

When (Jonathan) West began teaching private lessons at New Orleans Outlaws, last year, (owner) Bonewitz said she conducted a background check and had him take a drug screening. Both came back clean despite the fact that New Orleans police arrested (coach “Johnny”) West in 2011 on suspicion of the alleged rape of a woman.

West also faced a 2012 complaint of sexual abuse involving a 3-year-old in Kenner. But both charges were refused by prosecutors for insufficient evidence, according to authorities. …

‘He was like a part of their family’: Gymnastics community reels after coach’s sex abuse arrests

Both those previous charges were refused by prosecutors for insufficient evidence, so did not show on his background check.

related – Uber is rolling out ongoing background checks for its drivers

In Canada 10 Steps of Screening are recommended:

  1. Assessment
  2. Position – Assignment
  3. Recruitment
  4. Application
  5. Interview
  6. References
  7. Police Checks
  8. Orientation and Training
  9. Support and Supervision
  10. Follow-up and Feedback

 

the Athlete Task Force is a thing

Kerry Perry … announced five members of the organization’s newly created Athlete Task Force: Shenea Booth, acrobatic gymnastics; Ivana Hong, women’s gymnastics; Jazzy Kerber, rhythmic gymnastics; Steven Legendre, men’s gymnastics; and Leigh Hennessy Robson, trampoline and tumbling.

Details.

Spencer is not convinced.

Alberta trampoline park insurance increases

News from Alberta, Canada.

Insurance costs may drive the pay for play warehouses out of business.

Red Deer’s indoor trampoline park has closed its doors.

… owners of Jump 360 say insurance rates “quadruple what we were paying” and higher employee wages have made it too costly for them to continue operating. …

Jump 360 had been open since May 2016 …

Indoor trampoline park closes citing higher insurance costs, wages

related – Insurers jumping out of the trampoline business

I’d love to see those dangerous parks close.

The downside for Alberta clubs with qualified, certified Trampoline coaches is a new limitation which states that only competitive gymnasts and trampolinists are insured to use tramps, tumbling trampolines, mini-trampolines, etc.

Recreational kids, birthday party kids, Parkour and drop-in participants are not covered for negligence. … I feel this goes too far. Alberta clubs should look for a new insurance agency.

Father of three dies at Richmond’s Extreme Air Park trampoline facility

Jay Greenwood

 

new USA Olympic CEO Sarah Hirshland

“supporting, protecting and empowering”

The United States Olympic Committee on Thursday named a new chief executive to succeed Scott Blackmun, who stepped down under pressure in February as the organization faced escalating pressure in the aftermath of the Nassar gymnastics sex abuse case.

The group’s new leader is Sarah Hirshland, an executive with the United States Golf Association. …

NY Times

Golden Syrup for Parallel Bars

The guys at Phoenix Gymnastics use Lyle’s Golden Syrup instead of honey. That’s a British thing that has caught on in some Gyms around the world.

You put a small dab on your hands before chalking up.

It does work.

Kamerin Moore speaks out

Dvora Meyers linked to a video from Kamerin Moore, former elite gymnast and Larry Nassar survivor.

It’s very emotional.

Former Elite Gymnast Kamerin Moore Learns To Take Back Her Accomplishments From An Abusive Coach

Kamerin Moore, John Geddert, Jordyn Wieber