Category: safety

coach Richard Carlson permanently banned

A gymnastics coach accused of sexually abusing one of his athletes has been permanently banned, ending a case that had raised further questions about USA Gymnastics’ handling of misconduct complaints.

Richard Carlson was added to USA Gymnastics’ list of permanently ineligible members Friday. While no violation is specified, Marcia Frederick said he had abused her sexually in 1979 and 1980, beginning when she was 16. …

USA Gymnastics bans coach in case it elected to keep rather than turning over to SafeSport

Carlson continued to coach young female gymnasts in the Long Island area until at least 2015 and instruct at USA Gymnastics-sanctioned clinics for promising young female athletes until at least 2012, according to USA Gymnastics reports and interviews.

Carlson has denied any wrong doing in the Frederick case. …

USA Gymnastics bans Richard Carlson

Still, there are more questions than answers on this case.

Steve Penny, Lou Anna Simon to testify before Senate

Subpoenas were being served Tuesday afternoon on former USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny and former Michigan State president Lou Anna Simon to compel them to testify before a Senate subcommittee June 5 about failures to protect Olympic athletes from sexual abuse, a person with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY Sports.

Former USA Gymnastics women’s program director Rhonda Faehn accepted an invitation and was not subpoenaed, according to the person.

All three, along with former USA Gymnastics national team coordinator Martha Karolyi, had been invited by the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security at a hearing scheduled for May 22, according to the person. It was postponed when some of those who were invited did not agree to testify. Citing medical reasons, Karolyi did not accept the invitation, the person said. …

Rachel Axon and Christine Brennan

Gymnova adjustable spotting belt

Personally I don’t much like using belts for progressions. There are better, faster alternatives for every skill.

But if you did want one for your Gym, check out this from Gymnova.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

hero Mamoudou Gassama

Who’s got the guts to climb 4 stories straight up the side of a building to try to help rescue a child?

This guy. Spider man.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Gym owner charged with failing to report child abuse

Club owners and parent Board of Directors should know their legal and ethical obligations.

Parents went to this owner with allegations. She didn’t report her coach.

Prosecutors … charged 47-year-old Piper Hoemann with one misdemeanor count of failure of a mandated reporter to report child abuse or neglect. Hoemann owned Kids In Motion Gym in the 2000 block of Highway A in Washington, Mo. before it closed earlier this year.

In February, volunteer gymnastics coach David Schneider was charged with three counts of molestation. …

KMOV

USAG is guilty

I don’t see how you can conclude anything else after hearing about this cover-up.

… the Indianapolis Star reports that while USA Gymnastics was sorting out what to do with Nassar, it was simultaneous helping the doctor create a cover story for his absence.

After Nichols made her report, Nassar was removed from contact with the national team. …

Rather than go with the truth—namely, telling people that Nassar was under investigation for child sexual abuse—or simply saying nothing at all, USA Gymnastics agreed to help Nassar offer a respectable excuse for his absence at gymnastics events in 2015. …

Report: USA Gymnastics Helped Cover For Larry Nassar’s Absences During Investigation

 

questions for USAG’s Kerry Perry

The hearings yesterday were less than illuminating.

USA Gymnastics CEO provides no answers in congressional hearing to discuss sexual abuse

Instead, here are the Indy Star questions:

1. When did USA Gymnastics change its policy of dismissing sexual abuse allegations as hearsay unless they come from a victim or victim’s parent?

2. Why did you decide to conduct an internal investigation of the allegations against Larry Nassar instead of immediately reporting them to authorities?

3. How many USA Gymnastics officials — including employees, board members and volunteers — knew about the allegations against Nassar prior to the FBI report?

4. What did USA Gymnastics officials tell the FBI in July 2015?

5. What is USA Gymnastics doing to ensure that its subjective judging and team selection processes are not used to discourage athletes from reporting abuse?

6. Did USA Gymnastics destroy or alter medical records collected on athletes?

7. Is SafeSport really the answer?

7 questions we have for USA Gymnastics as its CEO faces a Congressional subcommittee

teaching the H Bar dismount tap

The classic technique since Tong Fei popularized it in 1985 is well explained in this Lee Woolls tutorial.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

On the other hand, some Chinese coaches are now greatly reducing the severity of the action.

A huge tap is not really necessary. It’s usually a form deduction at the bottom of the swing. And there have even been injuries to the lower back from excessive tap.

(via Gymnastics Coaches Skills & Drills)

USAG Statement to Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations

Kerry Perry’s opening statement:

… First, I want to apologize to all who were harmed by the horrific acts of Larry Nassar. …

… USA Gymnastics is on a new path, with new leadership, and a commitment to ensure this never happens again. …

USA Gymnastics is committed to our athletes and to investing in making gymnastics a sport where gymnasts of all abilities can train and compete without fear of abuse of any sort.

Right now, there is a parent driving their child to a gymnastics class. I want that parent to know that we are doing everything we can to protect their child. …

Read the full statement – “Examining the Olympic Community’s Ability to Protect Athletes from Sexual Abuse”