US women's gymnastics...

[Anonymous]

I can see how the parents did not think twice about the kids going to gymnastics camp at Karolis ranch alone/without parents.

All overnight camps are parent free, so this policy was not unusual. Thousands of kids get dropped off at camps every summer. The USA Gymnastics camp had that Olympic link, high visibility, and renown/reputable coaches and gymnasts there. I imagine that most parents assumed it was well run and well scrutinized given its prominence. I doubt that any of the parents would have suspected that they had an unlicensed doctor working there, let alone such a pedophile with unfettered access to the girls, especially if they all knew him and trusted him.

[Anonymous]

I just now read the full story and watched some of the videos. So disgusting. Everyone failed these girls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's really sickening to me that Nassar was involved with both the Karolyis' and John Geddert. Both men seem to me to be feared by the gymnasts they coach and Nassar was there to "save" them. I've only read a little about Geddert, but I've read many stories over the years about Bella Karolyi belittling gymnasts for their weight and forcing them to adhere to extremely strict diets, outbursts of rage and anger, incidents of physical violence and then physiological torment by doing things like completely ignoring a gymnast if he felt she wasn't performing correctly.

At 6 years old, I remember watching Mary Lou Retton compete in the Olympics and I also grew up idolizing Nadia. Bella Karolyi was the coach for both of these gymnasts, but I've never heard either one say anything negative about him. Is this some kind of sick loyalty thing or did he have favorites that he treated "decently"? Did he only prey on certain ones because from everything I've read it seemed like everything he did was done very much in the open and in front of other gymnasts as a way of creating fear, shame and intimidation. More and more, this just seems like such a bizarre and sick world.

My knowledge of gymnastics is rather limited, but even I know that Karolyi is a violent nutjob. I would never leave my child in his care. Chasing Olympic gold isn't a legit reason to abdicate parental responsibility of your child. It just makes you look greedy and irresponsible. And now we have proof that it was a reckless decision with heartbreaking consequences.

Why do you believe USA Gymnastics supported such a reckless and abusive environment for these children?

All those gold medals.

My enthusiasm for the next Olympics has diminished. Now I'll have to question if the kids were abused or assaulted in any way during their years of excruciating work.

No way should we believe Nassar is the only one. Just look how much it took to finally take him down. The US Olympic Committee authorities and coaches are obviously NOT protecting the kids from sexual predators. Where are the child protection advocates?

I keep thinking about countries with less justice/freedom. (China, Russia)

[Anonymous]

This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

That’s a pretty big accusation to throw out. What is your basis for saying that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

That’s a pretty big accusation to throw out. What is your basis for saying that?

Do skaters have child protection advocates to ensure protection from abuse? I don't think so. DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

That’s a pretty big accusation to throw out. What is your basis for saying that?

Do skaters have child protection advocates to ensure protection from abuse? I don't think so. DP

I was watching ice skating today and was thinking the same thing. I don't see how those girls are any more protected.

[Anonymous]

Do ice skaters go to a central training camp like the ranch? It always seemed less centralized to me, with lots of different coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

That’s a pretty big accusation to throw out. What is your basis for saying that?

Do skaters have child protection advocates to ensure protection from abuse? I don't think so. DP

I was watching ice skating today and was thinking the same thing. I don't see how those girls are any more protected.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do ice skaters go to a central training camp like the ranch? It always seemed less centralized to me, with lots of different coaches.

So what? Nassar started abusing kids in his home and then in his office. The abuse became widespread when he got enough people blindly trusting him (or being "in" on it) to bring these kids to him. Just because the abuse might not be as centralized (which I have no idea if it is or isn't), doesn't mean that it isn't there. I'm not saying this is happening, but I think there's a huge chance that it is and there is nothing to protect these girls from that.

[Anonymous]

Minor children need child protection advocates.
The systematic rape of the unprotected children was allowed for decades. Rapists have free reign as long as they're well-connected within their circles. Think Harvey Weinstein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do ice skaters go to a central training camp like the ranch? It always seemed less centralized to me, with lots of different coaches.

So what? Nassar started abusing kids in his home and then in his office. The abuse became widespread when he got enough people blindly trusting him (or being "in" on it) to bring these kids to him. Just because the abuse might not be as centralized (which I have no idea if it is or isn't), doesn't mean that it isn't there. I'm not saying this is happening, but I think there's a huge chance that it is and there is nothing to protect these girls from that.

So you really have no knowledge but make a lot of assumptions. Ok.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

That’s a pretty big accusation to throw out. What is your basis for saying that?

Do skaters have child protection advocates to ensure protection from abuse? I don't think so. DP

I was watching ice skating today and was thinking the same thing. I don't see how those girls are any more protected.

I think there are some important differences between gymnastics and ice skating. You don’t have a centralized “camp” system. I also don’t know of a local rink that has a doctor setting up shop in the rink itself like Nassar did at the gyms (but maybe someone else does?). Although skaters are frequently injured, I think that the constant pounding and injuries that gymnasts endure is slightly higher. I’m not sure what proportion of elite skaters, for instance, are receiving “treatment” literally after every practice and performance like these gymnasts were. And there is no collegiate figure skating.

This isn’t to say that abuse isn’t happening, because sadly I’m sure it is- I just hope it’s not as widespread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

That’s a pretty big accusation to throw out. What is your basis for saying that?

Do skaters have child protection advocates to ensure protection from abuse? I don't think so. DP

I was watching ice skating today and was thinking the same thing. I don't see how those girls are any more protected.

I think there are some important differences between gymnastics and ice skating. You don’t have a centralized “camp” system. I also don’t know of a local rink that has a doctor setting up shop in the rink itself like Nassar did at the gyms (but maybe someone else does?). Although skaters are frequently injured, I think that the constant pounding and injuries that gymnasts endure is slightly higher. I’m not sure what proportion of elite skaters, for instance, are receiving “treatment” literally after every practice and performance like these gymnasts were. And there is no collegiate figure skating.

This isn’t to say that abuse isn’t happening, because sadly I’m sure it is- I just hope it’s not as widespread.

"Hoping" isn't good enough. That's what's enabling the other Larry Nassar's out there to assault the kids behind closed doors. People like you are a huge part of the problem. The kids must be kept safe from predator coaches, and such. Why don't you want there to be independently appointed child safety advocates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story makes me think ice skating probably has its share of predators as well.

That’s a pretty big accusation to throw out. What is your basis for saying that?

Do skaters have child protection advocates to ensure protection from abuse? I don't think so. DP

I was watching ice skating today and was thinking the same thing. I don't see how those girls are any more protected.

I think there are some important differences between gymnastics and ice skating. You don’t have a centralized “camp” system. I also don’t know of a local rink that has a doctor setting up shop in the rink itself like Nassar did at the gyms (but maybe someone else does?). Although skaters are frequently injured, I think that the constant pounding and injuries that gymnasts endure is slightly higher. I’m not sure what proportion of elite skaters, for instance, are receiving “treatment” literally after every practice and performance like these gymnasts were. And there is no collegiate figure skating.

This isn’t to say that abuse isn’t happening, because sadly I’m sure it is- I just hope it’s not as widespread.

"Hoping" isn't good enough. That's what's enabling the other Larry Nassar's out there to assault the kids behind closed doors. People like you are a huge part of the problem. The kids must be kept safe from predator coaches, and such. Why don't you want there to be independently appointed child safety advocates?

Where did I say that? I do think there should be independently appointed child safety advocates. I just dont think we can assume the problem is as widespread in figure skating based solely on gut intuition. I urge you to conduct an investigation and report back to us.