The allegations against USA Gymnastics began back in August when the Indianapolis Star newspaper uncovered dozens of instances of abuse and complaints filed against coaches approved by USA Gymnastics which the organization failed to make public or follow through on. In many of these instances, the coaches went on to abuse more gymnasts after the first complaint was filed. Following the Olympics, a lawsuit was filed by an Olympic medalist from the 2000 U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastic Team who accused the then team physician, Larry Nassar, of fondling her breasts and genitals and engaging her in inappropriate and lewd conversations in the 1990s.
Since this lawsuit was filed, dozens of women have come forward echoing these statements. Last week, a second lawsuit was filed, citing abuse not just by Dr. Nassar, but also by famed coaches and team coordinators, Bela and Marta Karolyi. The lawsuit, a member of the 2010 World Championships team, accused the Karolyi’s of emotional and physical abuse at the National Team training camps held at their Texas ranch, which was manifested as berating of gymnasts, scratching that led to bleeding, and denial of food and water. The lawsuit goes on to claim that the Karolyi’s were aware of sexual abuse and turned a blind eye to it and that the toxic environment at their training camp’s was the perfect breeding ground for sexual abuse to occur. The lawsuit places blame on Larry Nassar, Bela and Marta Karolyi, USA Gymnastics, President Steve Penny, former President Robert Colarossi, the All Olympic Gymnastics Center and its owners, Galina Marinova and Artur Akopyan for ignore abuse and failing to protect gymnasts attending the training camps at the Karolyi ranch.
The Karolyi’s have a long history of abuse allegations. Famed coach Bela Karolyi gained notoriety for coaching gymnastics legend, Nadia Comaneci to seven perfect scores at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In the past, former teammates of Comaneci, as well as several other retired Romanian gymnasts have claimed that the Karolyi’s dished out physical pain as punishment for mistakes and being starved during training. The accusations followed them to their time in the United States, when they were accused by 1996 Olympic champion, Dominique Moceanu of belittling comments and physical attacks. Despite these claims, Marta Karolyi was named National Team Coordinator in 2001 and remained in that position until after the 2016 Olympics ended.
USA Gymnastics has denied the allegations but promises to look into the accusations more seriously. In the meantime, gymnasts, fans, and parents must reconsider the gymnastics system.
