USA Gymnastics Sued Over Alleged Failure to Act on Coach Abuse Reports
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A new lawsuit accuses USA Gymnastics of failing to protect athletes from sexual abuse by a former coach. The legal filing states the organization did not act despite receiving reports about coach Sean Gardner in 2017.
Those reports went to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the body responsible for investigating abuse in Olympic sports. The lawsuit alleges USA Gymnastics did not take sufficient steps to safeguard athletes after learning of the concerns.
Attorney John Manly, representing the plaintiffs, strongly criticized the organization. “USA Gymnastics had the information and the duty to protect these children, and they failed,” Manly stated.
The lawsuit seeks financial damages and institutional reforms. USA Gymnastics has not yet issued a public comment on the new legal action.