Christina Spicer  |  December 11, 2020

Category: Legal News

What happened at Azarian Gymnastics?

California’s Azarian Gymnastics has been hit with criticism after coaches accused of abusive behavior were only temporarily suspended pending completion of a positive coaching course.

The Sun reports that USA Gymnastics conducted an investigation into a myriad of allegations that a pair of coaches, Vanessa Gonzalez, Amanda Hensley, and Perry Davies, engaged in verbal, emotional, and even physical abuse of minor gymnasts. The nationwide organization that runs the Azarian Gymnastics training center located in Aliso Viejo, Calif. reportedly concluded that the allegations were “credible and substantiated,” as well as “disturbing.”

As a result of the investigation, USA Gymnastics reportedly suspended the coaches, but will be allowed to come back after they complete a 50-hour positive coaching training program provided by USA. The Sun reports that the organization’s decision is the result of a “negotiated resolution” with the three coaches.

Parents and a former Azarian coach told reporters that they are disappointed in USA Gymnastics’ ruling, saying that the embattled organization cares more about coaches than kids.

USA Gymnastics was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy after hundreds of athletes alleged they had been sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar. According to Vox, Nassar, who will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted, USA Gymnastics is fighting other court battles with athletes who say their coaches abused them.

One former Azarian parent told The Sun that USA Gymnastics’ lack of consequences for the abusive coaches “shows that everything you’ve heard about USA Gymnastics is true.”

“They truly don’t care about child abuse. Kids don’t matter to these people,” the parent told reporters.

According to The Sun, the final decision came after USA Gymnastics heard from at least 30 minors and their parents who claimed they had suffered abuse at the hands of Azarian coaches. Reportedly, young gymnasts were subjected to physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

What happened at Azarian Gymnastics?In fact, the Orange County Register conducted a three-month-long investigation into allegations of abuse at Azarian Gymnastics. Findings reportedly included instances where coaches hit young female gymnasts so hard that they were left with handprints on their skin hours later. Another coach was accused of sitting on young female gymnasts and ticking them. In addition, the coaches reportedly encouraged teammates to ridicule each other when the coach was unhappy with a gymnast.

According to The Sun, this is not the first time these same Azarian coaches have gotten slapped on the wrist after gymnasts accused them of abusive behavior. Indeed, according to the report, Azarian coaches have already been required to take a training class called SafeSport. One coach, Vanessa Gonzalez reportedly had a parent take a SafeSport test for her because she said she was too busy.

For its part, USA Gymnastics said that the resolution of their investigation and consequences for the coaches “will lead to significant changes in the culture, coaching committed to significant improvements regarding athlete welfare” in a letter to parents and gymnasts.

Indeed, the letter outlined the positive coaching program and other requirements resulting from the negotiation, such as parent supervisors and a non-contact order between the coaches and athletes who accused them of abuse; however, parents and one former coach say the measures are not enough and ignore the well being of those who suffered abuse at the hands of these coaches.

“I can’t believe the arrogance and gall of USA Gymnastics to think that their positive coaching classes are so wonderful that they’re going to change a sociopath and an abusive coach,” one parent told reporters.

“This makes me so sad to see children who were abused speak up for the first time after being silenced for years, abused for years and USA Gymnastics couldn’t care less,” a former Azarian coach and whistleblower commented to The Sun after hearing of USA Gymnastics’ resolution of the matter.

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