Category: safety

the Vitaly Marinitch resignation

Click through to listen to  Alaina Legendre (née Williams) tell the story in her own words.

On Sunday, August 24, 2014 after the P&G Championships in Pittsburgh, Olympic hopeful Steven Legendre and his wife Alaina went to the hotel bar. It was there that Alaina alleges U.S. Olympic Training Center men’s coach, Vitaly Marinitch sexually assaulted her.

Since the incident isn’t mentioned as a catalyst for Vitaly’s stated voluntary resignation, the Legendres have decided to publicly share their story …

GymCastic episode #241

vitaly-marinitch
Vitaly Marinitch

related – USA Today – Couple unhappy with USA Gymnastics handling of groping complaint

I’ve not seen any official response from USAG.

Thanks to GymCastic for their investigation on this: 1) Orange County Register, 2) Indy Star, 3 GymCastic.

Wall Street Journal on Nassar

WSJ’s Rebecca Davis O’Brien explains how sexual abuse allegations against the former doctor for the U.S. Women’s national gymnastics team has escalated into a federal investigation. She and WSJ’s Tanya Rivero discuss lawsuits filed by numerous girls and women against the doctor. …

WSJ – FBI Interviews Top U.S. Gymnasts in Intensifying Sexual-Abuse Investigation (VIDEO)

60 Minutes investigates USA Gymnastics sex abuse

News magazine program “60 Minutes” put the spotlight on IndyStar’s investigative reporting on sex abuse within USA Gymnastics.

Several former gymnasts came forward to tell their stories of alleged sex abuse committed by former team doctor Larry Nassar. If you missed the program, you can watch online here (in the USA). …

IndyStar

Click PLAY or watch USAG Board Chair Paul Parilla’s response on Twitter.

related – read FloGymnastics’ Editorial: Why Does Abuse Continue To Plague USA Gymnastics?

USAG should have done more sooner, that’s clear.

What will USA Gymnastics do next? That’s not at all clear.

Changes may be imposed on all Olympic sports in the USA — Senator seeks tougher law after USA Gymnastics’ handling of sex abuse cases

Sydney McGlone – Vault

I would have headed for the ice bath. Sydney got back up and competed. #respect

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

Many gyms don’t pad the pillar of the vault horse. Here’s a good example of why it’s important.

USA Gymnastics timeline – Dr. Nassar

The accusations are damning and ongoing. For example, Mother of MSU Gymnast Speaks out on Larry Nassar & Confrontation with Coach (VIDEO)

Here’s USGA’s response from Feb 16, 2-17 – Statement from USA Gymnastics Board Chairman Paul Parilla and CEO Steve Penny

FBI has interviewed gymnasts

Multiple gymnasts from the U.S. team, including members of the gold medal-winning squads in Rio de Janeiro and London, have been interviewed in recent months by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as either patients of the doctor, Larry Nassar, or potential witnesses …

Dr. Nassar, an osteopathic physician, served as a volunteer trainer and doctor for the U.S. national team for almost 30 years …

FBI Interviews Top U.S. Gymnasts in Intensifying Sexual-Abuse Investigation

Michigan State suspends coach Kathie Klages

A coach accused in court records of discouraging a then-teenage girl from filing a sexual assault complaint against Larry Nassar nearly 20 years ago was suspended Monday by the university, according to an email the State Journal obtained. …

Mike Rowe will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, Bader said in the email.

Lansing State Journal

(via College Gymnastics Board)

Larry Nassar accuser interviewed

… her name is Jane Doe BMSU, but after talking with her Tuesday, 6 News found out she’s a wife and mother.

… she says it wasn’t easy for her two decades ago when she brought concerns to a Michigan State University Gymnastics Coach (Kathie Kluges). …

WLNS

Coach Kathie Kluges had not yet responded.

Nassar is behind bars at this time.

new Men’s Code of Points

FIG MTC Chair Steve Butcher:

The new MAG Code of Points changes may seem minor to many, but the MTC objectives have grown. I have to mention first the numerous changes made to help improve safety.

Two examples are the elimination of rollout saltos on Floor Exercise and the banning of triple salto vaults. Rollout saltos leave little margin for error, could potentially cause catastrophic injuries and have been known to produce some concussion damage. Even double salto vaults offer very little margin for error, as we saw in one dramatic accident at the Olympic Games.

Our objective is also to better promote the sport, which is the reason the MTC has given higher values to some elements enjoyed by spectators, like flairs on Pommel Horse.

We raised the value of some rarely performed elements in order to produce more differentiation between exercises. Despite some higher element values, the MTC is committed to using execution deductions as the principle method of separating the best gymnasts and discouraging unprepared gymnasts from attempting high level elements.”

WOG #80

mtc

Safeguarding and Protecting Children

A new lawsuit.

Former gymnastics coach Don Peters, team doctor Larry Nassar sued for sexual misconduct

But a Register investigation earlier this month found that Peters, 68, since his banishment has continued to oversee SCATS investments, be listed as SCATS president and a “key employee” on financial documents, make appearances at SCATS’ facility and charge meals and liquor on SCATS credit cards.

Here’s what they are doing in England.

British Gymnastics:

The British Gymnastics Safeguarding and Protecting policy provides a framework for all those involved in gymnastics to meet their duty of care towards children, young people and adults at risk, and is mandatory for all British Gymnastics members …

What to do if you have a concern

If an incident or concern is immediate and you think a child is in immediate danger of abuse or at risk of significant harm or are in need of protection, then call the Police on 999 and/or your local Social services.

To report anything other than an immediate concern, please speak to the person on site responsible for welfare or contact a member of the Safeguarding and Compliance Team by calling 0345 1297129 plus the following extensions:

Safeguarding and Compliance Manager – Mike Harrison MBE – Extension 2633
Safeguarding and Compliance Officer – Linda Callaway – Extension 2346
Safeguarding and Compliance Co-ordinator – Catherine Powell – Extension 2609

Alternatively, you can email us at ethics@british-gymnastics.org