Gymnasts sue USA Gymnastics, SafeSport over coach abuse
Gymnasts have sued USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport, alleging both failed to protect athletes from coach Sean Gardner and that USA Gymnastics knew as early as 2017 he posed a "serious & present danger" but did not warn parents. The complaint details alleged grooming and abusive behaviors at a Mississippi gym — including long mandatory hugs, retaliation, closed‑door meetings, kissing gymnasts' foreheads, sexual jokes, inappropriate social‑media conduct, excessive drinking around minors and stalking — and says investigators who seized devices in late May found, per sealed court documents, hidden‑camera images of girls about 6–14 who were nude, using the toilet, or changing into leotards; USA Gymnastics declined to comment due to ongoing litigation.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Gymnasts have sued USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport alleging they failed to protect athletes from abuse by coach Sean Gardner.
- Attorney John Manly says USA Gymnastics knew as early as December 2017 that Sean Gardner posed a "serious & present danger" and failed to warn parents; December 2017 complaints described long mandatory hugs, retaliation when a girl refused, and other grooming behaviors at a Mississippi gym.
- The lawsuit and complaints detail additional alleged misconduct by Gardner, including closed‑door meetings with verbal abuse, kissing gymnasts' foreheads, excessive drinking around minors, sexual jokes, inappropriate social‑media comments, and stalking.
- Investigators seized devices in late May and, according to sealed court documents, found hidden‑camera images of girls approximately ages 6–14 who were nude, using the toilet, or changing into leotards.
- USA Gymnastics declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing litigation.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In the 2024 National Athlete Culture & Climate Survey of 3,762 respondents (79.5% White, 4.7% Black or African American, 6.2% Asian or Asian American, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino/a/e), Black or African American athletes experienced racial discrimination at a rate of 36.9%, compared to 3.9% for White athletes.
2024 National Athlete Culture & Climate Survey Report — U.S. Center for SafeSport
In the 2024 National Athlete Culture & Climate Survey of 3,762 respondents (79.5% White, 4.7% Black or African American, 6.2% Asian or Asian American, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino/a/e), Black or African American athletes were more likely to experience being hit or slapped (not including combative sports) at 15.1%, compared to 7.7% for White athletes.
2024 National Athlete Culture & Climate Survey Report — U.S. Center for SafeSport
Male gymnasts have higher height, weight, lean mass, VOâ‚‚max, and power compared to female gymnasts, while female gymnasts have higher body fat percentage.
Anthropometrical and Physiological characteristics of Indian gymnasts: A pilot study — International Journal of Kinanthropometry
African American athletes experienced nearly double the rates of sexual abuse compared to athletes of other races.
A Comprehensive Investigation of Sexual Abuse in Youth Sports — Hall & Evans, LLC
đź“° Sources (2)
- Attorney John Manly alleges USA Gymnastics knew as early as 2017 that Sean Gardner posed 'a serious & present danger' and failed to warn parents.
- Details that December 2017 complaints to USA Gymnastics and SafeSport described long mandatory hugs, retaliation against a girl who refused, and other grooming behaviors at a Mississippi gym.
- Additional alleged behaviors: closed-door meetings with verbal abuse, kissing gymnasts' foreheads, excessive drinking around minors, sexual jokes, inappropriate social-media comments, and stalking.
- Investigators seized devices in late May and, per sealed court documents, found hidden-camera images of girls approximately ages 6–14 who were nude, using the toilet, or changing into leotards.
- USA Gymnastics declined comment citing ongoing litigation.