A fresh wave of sexual abuse lawsuits is now targeting American gymnastics leadership. Two former athletes filed the suits against USA Gymnastics (USAG) and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. These plaintiffs allege both organizations failed to prevent a coach from abusing young girls for years. The legal action highlights ongoing systemic failures. It also renews the crisis that has plagued the sport since the Larry Nassar scandal.
The lawsuits specifically name former coach Sean Gardner. He faces accusations of preying on athletes at two different facilities across multiple states. According to the court documents, USAG and SafeSport received initial warnings about Gardner’s behavior as early as December 2017. These early complaints detailed inappropriate actions, including grooming behaviors. They allegedly involved kissing and excessive hugging of young female athletes at a Mississippi gym.
Despite these serious warnings, the governing bodies took no proper steps to intervene. They failed to remove Gardner’s coaching credentials. Neither organization reported the disturbing allegations to law enforcement immediately. This alleged inaction allowed Gardner to continue his career. He subsequently secured a coaching position at the elite Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in Iowa. This highly regarded gym trains Olympic-level competitors.
The two plaintiffs claim they were only 11 and 12 years old when the abuse began at Chow’s. They had Olympic dreams and trusted the organizations meant to protect them. The lawsuits detail physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that occurred over several years. Both gymnasts eventually left the sport. The civil suits seek unspecified damages for the profound trauma and treatment expenses incurred by the victims.
The case also names Liang Chow, the prominent founder of the Iowa academy, as a defendant. The plaintiffs allege the Chow’s Institute was negligent. They claim the facility hired Gardner without conducting an adequate background check. Furthermore, the gym allegedly continued employing him even after receiving additional complaints about his misconduct with children.
Legal experts representing the victims argue this case shows a deeply flawed culture. John Manly, an attorney who also represented Nassar survivors, stated the focus on “money and medals” still overshadows child safety in the Olympic system. This criticism targets SafeSport directly. Congress created the independent watchdog agency following the Nassar atrocities. SafeSport’s core mission is investigating misconduct and protecting athletes. The lawsuits argue SafeSport missed crucial chances to stop a predator.
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SafeSport officials have noted they received a report of sexual misconduct in 2022. They then issued a temporary suspension for Gardner. They claim this suspension was published in their online database and barred him from coaching. However, critics maintain that the years of missed opportunities from 2017 to 2022 allowed the continued abuse of multiple young girls. Gardner now faces federal child pornography charges related to his time coaching in Mississippi. This new legal battle underscores the painful truth that the U.S. gymnastics community continues to struggle with accountability. More lawsuits related to this matter are widely anticipated.
