IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Two gymnasts have filed lawsuits against USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport, alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at an elite gymnastics academy in Iowa. The lawsuits claim that despite numerous complaints regarding coach Sean Gardner's inappropriate behavior, there was insufficient action taken to protect the athletes.
Filed in Polk County, Iowa, these lawsuits represent the first civil cases to emerge related to the abuse scandal that came to light after Gardner's arrest by the FBI in August. Both organizations are accused of ignoring complaints about Gardner's 'grooming behaviors,' allowing him to continue coaching despite clear warnings.
The plaintiffs, now college students, were reportedly subjected to emotional and sexual abuse during their time training under Gardner at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute. They contend that incidents of inappropriate physical contact and sexual harassment persisted, culminating in long-lasting trauma.
The lawsuit claims that Gardner’s misconduct was reported as early as December 2017, where he was accused of exhibiting inappropriate behaviors such as hugging and kissing young gymnasts. Despite these allegations, he continued to coach at Chow’s Gymnastics until his arrest.
Liang “Chow” Qiao, the institute's founder, and his wife, Liwen Zhuan, have also been named as defendants in the case. The reactions from USA Gymnastics and SafeSport have been guarded, with both organizations acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations while refraining from extensive comments on the litigation, citing ongoing investigations and procedures.
This tragic situation reflects broader issues within Olympic sports concerning athlete safety and the necessity for robust reporting mechanisms to safeguard young athletes from abuse and misconduct.
