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Gymnastics Watchdogs Failed to Stop Coach's Abuse
2 Dec
Summary
- Lawsuits claim USA Gymnastics and SafeSport ignored abuse warnings.
- Coach Sean Gardner allegedly abused gymnasts at Iowa academy.
- Organizations failed to investigate or stop Gardner's behavior.
Gymnasts are suing USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport, alleging the organizations failed to prevent coach Sean Gardner from sexually abusing young athletes. Lawsuits filed in Iowa claim that despite repeated complaints detailing "inappropriate and abusive behaviors" and grooming tactics starting in December 2017, the oversight bodies did not investigate properly or revoke Gardner's credentials.
These alleged failures, according to the lawsuits, permitted Gardner to obtain employment at Chow's Gymnastics in West Des Moines, Iowa. There, the plaintiffs claim they and other preteen and teenage girls endured further abuse. The lawsuits were filed after Gardner's August arrest on federal child pornography charges.
Gardner faces charges for allegedly recording minors in a bathroom in Mississippi between December 2017 and April 2018. He has pleaded not guilty and is jailed pending a trial scheduled for next month. The lawsuits also name prominent coach Liang "Chow" Qiao, his wife, and their corporations as defendants.
