Monday, August 08, 2016

Gymnastics’ hidden abuse crisis...

Millions of eyes will tune in Sunday morning to watch as Spandex-ed, chalk-covered women gymnasts rocket themselves into space and maneuver their bodies into otherworldly contortions for the qualifying rounds. The U.S. women’s team, which includes 4-foot-9 phenomenon Simone Biles and returning gold medalists Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman, are known as the “Fierce Five” for their daring domination in the sport that is the darling of the summer Olympics. But behind the power, skill, and muscled thighs is a disturbing report on what many say has been an open secret for decades: allegations of widespread sexual abuse by top coaches.

Officials in one of the sport’s national governing organization, USA Gymnastics, admitted under oath that they had routinely dismissed allegations about predatory coaches and failed to alert authorities to the problem. An investigation, published yesterday by the Indianapolis Star, found that USA Gymnastics ignored multiple warnings about famous coaches, including William McCabe, a Georgia coach who was allowed to molest vulnerable girls and young women for years. (He is currently serving a 30-year sentence for the sexual exploitation of children.)

The disturbing cover-up is just the latest example of how competitive gymnastics is one of the most dangerous sports for girls.

Take this statistic from the CDC: the graceful art of gymnastics is second only to football in terms of injury-prone college sports. “You can’t believe the level of abuse that goes on,” said Robert Malina, a retired professor of kinesiology and health education at the University of Texas at Austin, who has studied the growth of gymnasts and other young athletes for decades. Full story...

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