Category: safety

Through his work in the gymnastics community, Butcher said he’s known Dr. Larry Nasser for about 25 years. Nasser, who treated some of the most famous Olympic gymnasts in recent history, is facing 23 sexual abuse charges, and has been accused by more than 80 girls and women that he sexually abused them during treatments.  …

“I know them personally. I know them, I know their coaches, I’ve known their families, their husbands and kids now,” he told WBIR 10News. “It’s not just shocking, it’s devastating. I feel like it’s a weight on my heart when they tell me what they’ve endured.”  …

“Everybody is putting more safety precautions up. The gyms here in Knoxville are really cautious, background checking their staff and doing everything they can to protect their young athletes.”

Butcher said it’s important, too, for parents to look out for their kids and make sure they are working with coaches who no only make them a better athlete, but a better person. …

“My personal effort is going to be in the future to do anything we can worldwide, not just in the U.S., to develop programs where athletes feel more reassured if they come forward about a abuse case, but to advise the parents and athletes to prevent them. That’s my mission,” …

‘Shocking, heartbreaking’: Olympic gymnastics judge says sexual abuse scandal can lead to change

I’m certain there is more abuse in totalitarian States than in Democracies. 😦

“Hallelujah!!” said former U.S. national team member Doe Yamashiro, who in a 2011 Orange County Register investigation said she was sexually abused by Peters.

“I think it’s an important first step, but we’re not going to get a different type of leadership developing until we really change the nuts and bolts of the sport’s culture in general. This is really a long term re-haul that is going to take a lot of effort and education, education of the public and the sponsorship, the gymnasts, coaches and parents.” …

“We don’t see this as the end of the scandal or the end of the need for USA Gymnastics to enact reforms,” said Manly,who represents more than 70 of Nassar’s alleged victims. “This is just the end of the beginning. It wasn’t just Steve Penny that looked the other way when children were being sexually abused. There were a lot of other longtime board members who looked the other way when this was happening and they need to go to.”

In particular, Manly singled out Parilla, who has served on the USA Gymnastics board of directors since 1999 and has been chairman since 2015. …

“They have yet to even say ‘I’m sorry’ to their victims,” Manly said. “Even the Catholic bishops did that.” …

SCOTT M. REID – Critics say Steve Penny’s resignation not enough in wake of sex abuse allegations involving USA Gymnastics

UPDATE – Jessica O’Beirne of @GymCastic has been following this issue closely. She details many possible next steps on the GymCastic #244: Russian Nationals & Gymnix 2017 audiocast. (Posted just before Penny’s resignation.)

The best post I’ve seen yet on the Dr. Larry Nassar scandal:

With the information we currently have – I too want to make some one pay. This must be someone’s fault. Someone should have done something 20 years ago. The reality is that no one I knew suspected anything. If we had, we would have reported it. …

read more – USA Gymnastics – It’s about being a professional.

Why did USAG keep Nassar so long? Why didn’t someone in the organization flag his illegal behaviour sooner? Why don’t they react more quickly.

But to blame one person — CEO Steve Penny — is simplistic and shortsighted. He’s no more than 1% to blame. What about all the other coaches, officials, administrators, medical staff and judges?

There are dozens of changes that need be implemented at the family, club, State, Region and National level. There is no quick fix.