Gymnastics Scandal: How Complaints Were Ignored

A former gymnastics coach, Sean Gardner, is accused of sexually abusing young athletes. Two gymnasts have filed lawsuits against USA Gymnastics and the US Center for SafeSport. They claim these organizations did not act on reports of Gardner's inappropriate behavior. The lawsuits state that complaints were made as early as December 2017. Reports mentioned Gardner's hugging, kissing, and other concerning actions. Despite these reports, Gardner was not stopped from coaching. He later moved to Iowa and continued his alleged abuse at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute. The institute's founder, Liang "Chow" Qiao, is also named in the lawsuits. Qiao is known for training Olympic champions. The lawsuits allege that Qiao and his wife, Liwen Zhuan, did not properly check Gardner's background. They also ignored complaints about his behavior. USA Gymnastics and SafeSport have responded to the lawsuits. SafeSport says it suspended Gardner in 2022 after receiving a report of sexual misconduct. USA Gymnastics says it takes the case seriously but declined further comment. Gardner is currently in jail, awaiting trial. He faces federal child pornography charges. Investigators found videos of at least 10 minors on his computers. Gardner has pleaded not guilty. The plaintiffs in the lawsuits were young gymnasts when the abuse allegedly happened. They are now college students seeking damages for their injuries and treatment. The lawsuits highlight a pattern of ignored complaints. They raise questions about the effectiveness of organizations meant to protect athletes. The case also sheds light on the broader issue of abuse in sports.