Since 1982 I have coached 46 former U.S. National team members, and have garnered the trust of countless more. I have witnessed the physical and emotional pain these athletes have struggled with after their elite careers ended and they became collegiate athletes. …
The names of the coaches/abusers changed a little over the decades, but the stories were identical. Stories of verbal, emotional and physical abuse that were simply the way of life for an aspiring elite gymnast.
How has this perverse culture of abusive power festered for so many decades?
In listening to all of the brave women who have come forward in the courtroom to confront Nassar, I can’t escape the thought that while he is a mentally deranged pedophile, he is not the head of the monster. The monster is the Culture of USA Gymnastics. Abusive behavior is the example the Karolyis cultivated. …
Time’s Up USAG
Category: safety
Nastia apologizes for late support of teammates
This is an apology to anyone who had the perception I was not in complete support of my teammates and the women who have suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar.
When I first found out about Larry’s disgusting crimes, I was completely shocked. I couldn’t believe the man I trusted and had even publicly thanked for helping to heal my injuries was a monster to so many people I care so much about.
One of the first times I was asked about this was on national television and I was completely caught off guard. I realized I gave the impression I was not fully supportive of my teammates. I stumbled through my words because I couldn’t even begin to process my thoughts, let alone my words, about his abhorrent and criminal actions.
This letter is also a commitment from me, to help create positive change and a brighter future. As a small first step, I have requested that all proceeds (ticket sales, merchandise sales, and any and all other revenue) from the Nastia Liukin Cup this March will be donated to an organization which supports victims of sexual abuse. I am currently doing my due diligence to find the right organization. …
To The Gymnastics Community…
Larissa Boyce told Kathie Klages in 1997
In 1997, teenage gymnast Larissa Boyce told a Michigan State University coach that she was uncomfortable with the intravaginal treatments she was getting from Larry Nassar, a MSU sports medicine doctor.
Her concerns were not only ignored, Boyce said. She was humiliated into thinking that she had unfairly maligned a well-respected doctor. …
… She is the first person known to have complained to MSU officials about Nassar, yet it took another two decades for Nassar to stop abusing patients …
In fact, Boyce said, Klages told Nassar about Boyce’s concerns, and at Boyce’s next appointment with Nassar, “pulled up a stool and said, ‘so, I talked to Kathie …”
Nassar victim describes telling MSU coach in 1997 about abuse
The MSU Board of Trustees just reaffirmed their support of President Lou Ann K. Simon.
Nassar’s YouTube channel finally suspended
It took many complaints.
Some of those complaints from the parents of gymnasts featured in the videos, but Google finally shut down Nassar’s “Gymnastics Doctor” channel the afternoon of Jan. 19th.
https://twitter.com/dishwashingg/status/954608338267860992
His two websites were still online in November. Both are gone now.
Jordyn Wieber #MeToo
“I thought that training for the Olympics would be hardest thing I would ever have to do,” Wieber said. “But the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do is process that I’m a victim of Larry Nassar. It has caused me to feel shame and confusion and I have spent months trying to look back and wonder how I didn’t even know this was happening to me, how I became so brainwashed by Larry and everyone at USA Gymnastics, both whom I thought were on my side. He became a safe person, and was the ‘good guy’ in an intense, restricting environment.”
Jordyn trained at Geddert’s Twistars, Nassar’s home Gym.
Wieber told an Ingham County Michigan judge Friday that she too was sexually assaulted by Nassar, the first time she’s publicly revealed the abuse. …
Wieber and Raisman, along with their Olympic teammates Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney, have all publicly accused Nassar. The four women were part of the “Fierce Five” who won gold at the 2012 London Olympics. …
Click PLAY or watch her impact statement on YouTube.
USAG cancels the Ranch
Good call.
Kerry Perry, president and CEO of USA Gymnastics:
“USA Gymnastics has terminated its agreement with the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas. It will no longer serve as the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center.
“It has been my intent to terminate this agreement since I began as president and CEO in December. Our most important priority is our athletes, and their training environment must reflect this. We are committed to a culture that empowers and supports our athletes.
“We have cancelled next week’s training camp for the U.S. Women’s National Team. We are exploring alternative sites to host training activities and camps until a permanent location is determined. We thank all those in the gymnastics community assisting in these efforts.”
___
related:
Tony Retrosi is the United States Elite Coaches Association Chairman.
That’s an organization independent of USAG.
Tony:
Is it time for the National Team Training Center at Karolyi’s Ranch to close?
Yes!
… The information I can share is USAG is working on a plan for the new training center. In August they had 5 parties interested in working with USAG to build a new training center. …
Some have mentioned the USOTC in Colorado Springs as an alternative—good idea but it can barely handle the training schedule required for the men. …
The USA needs a world class training facility where coaches and gymnasts can learn and train with minimal distractions—a National Team Training Center where our National Teams in all disciplines can train on a regular basis and where we can develop the talent of our up and coming coaches as well.
We need USA Gymnastics University to be both a brick-and-mortar University (at the National Team Training Center) and an online source as well. We need the best and brightest to be teaching at national, regional and state congresses and conferences. I personally would like a university where gymnastics professionals can go and learn from the best and one to where the best can go and share their ideas and drills with each other.
This university and training center must be a safe place for all participants.
The funding involved in doing this would be astronomical, however, we MUST move forward at all costs and anything worthwhile starts with a dream. …
read more on Facebook
USA Gymnastics University provides voluntary coach education courses in the USA.
Yamilet Peña interview
From November 2017.
The interview was given right before the Bolivarian Games where Peña ended up becoming 5th in AA, making all four event finals and taking gold on vault and silver on bars and floor. …
“I’ve been training with a Cuban coach since Central American championships qualifications. And I feel that we are doing such a good job we always try to peak at the right time for the competitions, and this is like I feel, just great. Besides, I am not suffering from any injuries now”. …
YAMILET PEÑA: I ALWAYS COMPETE AGAINST MYSELF
Of the women who’ve competed Handspring Double Front since Produnova, I’d rank Oksana best, Yamilet second best. Both have the physical ability to do the vault successfully. But the landing is supremely difficult, dangerous and technical.
I doubt Peña will compete it again at the new start value.
Click PLAY or watch one of her best ones from 2012 on YouTube.
John Geddert faces abuse allegations
Unrelated to the Nassar case.
Lindsey Lemke is among many women and girls who started training at Twistars when she was 7-years-old. She’s currently a senior at Michigan State University. She competes on the university’s gymnastics team.
“When I was younger, I thought I was lucky to be coached by Geddert,” she said. “He was very well known and without a doubt had the best gymnastics club in Michigan.” …
… Geddert threw things at gymnasts during practice, including water bottles, blocks and pens.
Lemke also said Geddert would tell girls straight to their face that they were fat, “some who weighed only 100 – 110 pounds,” she added. …
Christy Lemke, Lindsey’s mother, said Geddert is “known” for the physical and emotional stress he puts on athletes he trains. …
Owner of popular Twistars Gymnastics Club faces abuse allegations
Related to the Nassar case …
Twistars Gymnastics and its owner files motion to dismiss in Nassar lawsuits
Is Michigan State University liable?
Courts will decide.
What MSU knew: 14 warned of Nassar abuse
8 WOMEN REPORTED ABUSE CLAIMS, AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH REACHED PRESIDENT
coach Thomas Brennan speaks out
A former Gymnastics coach who sent more than 100 girls to be treated by Nassar was unexpectedly allow to speak on the the second day of Nassar’s sentencing in Lansing, Michigan.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 