According to ESPN, an “Indianapolis Star-USA Today investigation into sexual assault of young gymnasts has found hundreds of cases of athletes alleging abuse, as well as systemic failures that allowed abusive coaches to relocate to other gyms.”
To often we hear of stories where trusted institutions with the goal of supporting young boys and girls is bastardized by the actions of a few. In a recent report, “368 gymnasts throughout the United States have alleged being the victim of some form of sexual abuse over the past 20 years,” The nine month investigation has always revealed that over “100 coaches, gym owners and other adults connected to the sport have been accused of abuse.”
The predatory actions have been able to continue due to a lack of accountability and punishment system. According to the Indy Star “that USA Gymnastics failed to monitor predatory coaches, allowing them to move between USA Gymnastics-certified gyms without being tracked and not revoking their membership in the organization.”
Currently it is unclear how many of the alleged members were actual US Gymnastic participants but I am sure we will find out more in the coming months. This is another unfortunate incident where a system has failed to protect those it was created to serve. Hopefully the culprits within this are prosectuted to the fullest extent of the law.