Coach suspended - abuse allegations

[CoyoteChris]

From the top of my head i would say Eisler, Karel Fajfr (ex Brezina coach), Morozov.
Also Tutberidze or that coach who starved Zijun and forbade her to drink water, even though the abuse is not of a sexual misconduct nature but if i had kids i certainly wouldn't send them to them.

Morozov...now I have to go and wash my hands...yuck...

 

[Farnaz]

... provide educational material to parents about healthy and unhealthy coaching relationships and warning signs...

This. I attend an adult skating session every week and there is always this 15-year-old girl with his mid 40 male coach. Whenever she falls on a jump, she throws herself into the coach's embrace making excuses. Apparently, the coach is explaining her the technic but even if it takes 10 minutes she stays in his embrace. The girl apparently enjoying it very much, laughing out loudly and the coach too, tickling her from time to time and ... I and my friend are like :shocked: The mother is there on the stands weaving a scarf and never pays attention. I and my friend are not Americans so we think maybe we come from more conservative cultures and don't get it but seriously, is it ok? Other skaters are ok with it, the other coaches on the ice do not say anything and the mother is just weaving a scarf. Apparently something is wrong with us to be irritated with this behavior

 

[SmallAminal]

This. I attend an adult skating session every week and there is always this 15-year-old girl with his mid 40 male coach. Whenever she falls on a jump, she throws herself into the coach's embrace making excuses. Apparently, the coach is explaining her the technic but even if it takes 10 minutes she stays in his embrace. The girl apparently enjoying it very much, laughing out loudly and the coach too, tickling her from time to time and ... I and my friend are like :shocked: The mother is there on the stands weaving a scarf and never pays attention. I and my friend are not Americans so we think maybe we come from more conservative cultures and don't get it but seriously, is it ok? Other skaters are ok with it, the other coaches on the ice do not say anything and the mother is just weaving a scarf. Apparently something is wrong with us to be irritated with this behavior

Its hard to know whether this is innocent or if there is something inappropriate going on BUT, I think this is a time where you should abide by the "if you see something, say something" rule. You don't have to identify yourself, but I would send a note to the skating director of the club saying something to the effect of "I'm not sure if anything is inappropriate is going on but I am uncomfortable when I see X, Y, and Z. I suggest that you observe the session and the skater as we are concerned enough to point this out."

You never know, maybe other people are just as uncomfortable as you but are reticent to say something (it can be politically risky for the other coaches). The mother might not be fully aware or might be blinded by the status of the coach. I'm unsure of the US guidelines, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is some coaching code of Ethics for USFSA that covers things like what is/is not appropriate contact between a coach and skater. Tickling a 15 YO does NOT sound appropriate to me.

 

[Metis]

Its hard to know whether this is innocent or if there is something inappropriate going on BUT, I think this is a time where you should abide by the "if you see something, say something" rule. You don't have to identify yourself, but I would send a note to the skating director of the club saying something to the effect of "I'm not sure if anything is inappropriate is going on but I am uncomfortable when I see X, Y, and Z. I suggest that you observe the session and the skater as we are concerned enough to point this out."

I’d also recommend looking up your local prosecutor’s office and local police online (or calling them) and asking about making an anonymous report. You should be able to do so — I’m not suggesting you make an actual criminal complaint, but something more informal and lower level. The coach almost certainly won’t be contacted, so there isn’t a blowback risk; that’s the point of these systems. What they encourage and what you’re trying to do isn’t to start an investigation, but rather to put documentation into a file in case there is an investigation of this person at some later time, because all of this is exactly the kind of horrible that’s not enough to necessarily act on in and of itself but would be extremely useful to have documented.

I interned at a prosecutor’s office during university and the one I was at ran such a system at the actual prosecutor’s office, though whether it’s a police station or prosecutor’s office you visit doesn’t really matter.

Build a record. Write things down. Save a copy of any letter sent to the skating director (better yet, do it via email — email is forever). Be specific. Use dates when you can. Describe what you saw, as clearly and with as much specificity as possible, not only because it may (I hope not) be helpful later, but also to cut off weasel room from the skating director and/or coach.

ETA: I’ve been on both sides of the legal system (prosecution and victim). Help establish a record. Try to get a note in a file. Document in triplicate. It really does help.

 

[KwanIsALegend]

I have been seeing bits of this story and it just now dawned on me that Callahan is Richard Callahan, Tara and Todd's former coach. What a disturbing story. Parents put their trust in coaches, now we are getting to the point where parents can't leave their children at all.

I hope Tara got out unscathed.

 

[ice coverage]

Maurizi testified at a Senate hearing this afternoon.

Hearing held by Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security.

Archived webcast is at the link below. (I have not watched it. The hearing does not start until the 35-minute mark. Video of the hearing room does not start until the 33-minute mark.)

Olympic Abuse: The Role of National Governing Bodies in Protecting Our Athletes

Wednesday, April 18, 2018
2:30 p.m.

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/pub...l-governing-bodies-in-protecting-our-athletes​

PDF of Maurizi's opening statement:

https://www.commerce.senate.gov/pub...AFCAD1F73.c.-maurizi-testimony-04.16.2018.pdf​

Witnesses:

Ms. Jordyn Wieber, Gymnast and Olympic Gold Medalist (London, 2012)
Ms. Jamie Dantzscher, Gymnast and Olympic Bronze Medalist (Sydney, 2000)
Ms. Bridie Farrell, Speedskater and 2014 Olympic hopeful
Mr. Craig Maurizi, Figureskater [sic]​

In addition, McKayla Maroney submitted written testimony.

---

ETA:

@cbrennansports

Both Jamie Dantzscher and Craig Maurizi tell Sen. Richard Blumenthal that they are “sure” sexual abuse is still going on in their respective sports, gymnastics and figure skating. Blumenthal says it’s “shocking” to him “even after Nassar.”

12:45 PM - 18 Apr 2018
https://twitter.com/cbrennansports/status/986692306710429697​