Category: safety

Steven Legendre on salvaging USAG

As many of you know, I was elected to the USAG Board of Directors on January 1st, just under 1 month ago. I was asked to resign just a few days ago, at the request of the USOC with the option to be re-elected to my same position on the new board should my fellow Athlete Representatives feel I am deserving of that role.

I have submitted my letter of resignation to USAG already, but I would like you all to know that this in no way means that I am resigning from my duties to help our sport and be a strong voice that creates the change we so desperately need. …

… a hot topic.

The debate as to whether we can salvage the infrastructure of USAG and create positive change through comprehensive leadership changes, or that the organization is so far gone, so far rotted from the inside, that this is not possible. This is a tough one and I certainly see both opinions on this …

read the entire post on Facebook

related – What’s next for USA Gymnastics? A long, tough road at best

USA Gymnastics faces lawsuits in Georgia, California and Michigan alleging its leaders failed to stop coaches and other officials from sexually abusing young athletes. And the first of those suits is headed for trial in April unless a settlement is reached. Either way, it is likely to be costly.

John Legend, Chrissy Teigen donate $200k

On Saturday evening, the pair gave a $200K donation to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund and if that wasn’t a generous enough feat, check this out—the duo wrote that they gave the money, “on behalf of the heroic gymnasts of the USA Gymnastics Team.” …

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen Give $200,000 to Time’s Up on Behalf of Team USA Gymnasts

sexual abuse by physicians

It’s far more common than we would have guessed.

… In a new survey of nearly 500 women conducted by Women’s Health and the anti–sexual violence group RAINN (the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), 27 percent said they’d been violated by a doctor—reporting everything from lewd comments to masturbation, inappropriate touching, and even rape. …

First, Do No Harm

In praise of The Indianapolis Star

In April 2016, a few instances of nearby schools failing to report child abuse caught the attention of the investigations team at The Indianapolis Star. The journalists wondered how often it happened, and why.

As one of the reporters, Marisa Kwiatkowski, looked into it, a source tipped her off to a lawsuit accusing U.S.A. Gymnastics, which is based in Indianapolis, of the same behavior. Later that day, The Star put her on an airplane to Effingham County, Ga., fearful that the records would soon be sealed.

She returned with almost 1,000 pages of documents. She and two other reporters, Mark Alesia and Tim Evans, dug in. …

NYT – Belatedly, The Indianapolis Star Gets Its Due for Gymnastics Investigation

another Trampoline park death

OBVIOUSLY these pay for play facilities should be banned. They are too dangerous.

Extreme Air Park, a trampoline facility, in Richmond, B.C.

“Staff had no idea what to do and I called 911,” claimed eyewitness Karm Layegh on Facebook. …

… A man named Austin Dremeneau replied online to Bouzakis, appearing to speak on behalf of Extreme Air Park and claiming medical emergency protocol was followed. …

“What I am questioning is did the man have a fighting chance after his injury? Was there proper protocol in place prior and enough qualified staff on duty to execute that action that needed to be done in this case?” stated Bouzakis on Facebook. …

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

Jay Greenwood

Lauren Hopkins on Nassar

A different perspective on how that con man fooled so many people for so long.

The first time I got a message from Larry Nassar, I felt honored. I was a college student just beginning what would eventually become a career writing about gymnastics. In the gym world, I was nobody. And the world-famous doctor for the U.S. women’s national gymnastics team wanted to talk to me?

… I am not a gymnast. Nassar never treated me, and every in-person exchange we shared was professional and friendly. I never wondered why he “chose” me to be his gossip buddy, but I loved all of the inside intel he gave me. And, like thousands of others, when I first heard about sexual abuse accusations against him, I thought, “Larry?! No way.” …

Larry Nassar Was A Master Manipulator, But He Didn’t Act Alone

Lauren is one of the experts being consulted by general media.

USAG Board resigns en masse

It’s done.

I believe it had to be done. In fact, this may not be enough.

It might be better and easier to start over with a brand new Gymnastics USA organization. Trust and sponsorships might be restored more quickly.

Yes I know some of those Board members are wonderful people who will be badly missed during the impending vacuum.

MSU Athletic Director resigns

Michigan State AD Mark Hollis resigns: ‘It’s the right time to let people heal’

I’m thinking he hopes to avoid the tough questions about former head coach Kathie Klages.

AT&T suspends USA Gymnastics sponsorship

AT&T has suspended its sponsorship of USA Gymnastics in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal, the company announced on Tuesday.

AT&T joins Procter & Gamble, Hershey’s and Under Armour as sponsors that have left the beleaguered national governing body since December. …

Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour

victim impact statement quotes

Brianne Randall:

“I was a 17-year-old that reported your abuse to police in 2004. You used my vulnerability at the time to sexually abuse me. I reported you to police immediately and had a rape kit done … you had the audacity to tell [police] I misunderstood the treatment because I wasn’t comfortable with my body. How dare you? Sadly they took your word instead of mine.”

Jordyn Wieber:

“Even though I am a victim, I won’t live my life as one. I am an Olympian.”

Mattie Larson:

“I was at the height of my career at 19 and the Olympics were just a year away and I just couldn’t take any more of the abuse. I was broken. Larry, my coaches, and USA Gymnastics turned the sport I fell in love with as a kid to my personal living hell.”

Makayla Thrush:

“Nobody should ever have to question their doctor, especially one who was the doctor for the US Olympic team.”

133 People Publicly Confronted The Doctor Who Sexually Abused Young Women. Here Are Their Most Powerful Quotes.