Anew scandal is rocking American gymnastics. Two former gymnasts, who claim to have been victims of sexual abuse at an Iowa academy, have filed civil lawsuits against USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. They argue that these two organizations failed to act on repeated complaints against coach Sean Gardner.
Both entities were reportedly warned in 2017 about Gardner’s “inappropriate and abusive” behavior while working at a gym in Mississippi: he would hug and kiss the girls and get into the bathroom with them. However, neither organization is said to have thoroughly investigated the matter or revoked his license
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Gardner continued to coach. He was hired in 2018 by Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa, where the plaintiffs claim they and other girls and teenagers were abused. The institute — founded by Olympic coach Liang ‘Chow’ Qiao — is also being sued.
This case came to light following a series of investigations by The Associated Press after Gardner’s arrest by the FBI in August. The allegations claim that both USA Gymnastics and SafeSport failed to intervene, even years after the Larry Nassar scandal, which prompted the creation of the oversight center itself.
“The culture of prioritizing medals and money over child safety is alive and well,” said attorney John Manly, who is known for representing Nassar’s victims and is now part of the legal team for the gymnasts who have filed these lawsuits.
SafeSport noted that it had not been informed of the lawsuit, but that Gardner was temporarily suspended in 2022 after receiving the first complaint of sexual misconduct, and that his status was changed to “ineligible” on September 12, after his arrest. USA Gymnastics declined to comment beyond acknowledging “the seriousness of the case.”
Gardner faces federal child pornography charges. Investigators accuse him of installing a hidden camera in the bathroom of a gym in Purvis, Mississippi, between 2017 and 2018, to record underage female students. Officers recovered material with at least 10 victims on his electronic devices. The coach has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody pending a court appearance.