In my gymnastics collection that is still gathering dust in my spare room, I have a few copies of a publication called 'Flying Squirrels', produced by a freelance journalist called Keith McCaffety. This photocopied 'All American Gymnastics Newsletter' was kindly sent to me by friends in America; I never subscribed to the publication directly.
The February 1992 edition included a story about international gymnast Erika Stokes and her experiences in elite gymnastics, including a short section on her life at the Karolyi Ranch. I seem to remember many more similar stories with details of how the gymnasts were treated there. Remember, the Karolyis defected to the USA from Romania in 1981. By 1984 they had made an Olympic Champion of Mary Lou Retton, and by the end of 1991 they had their first World All Around Champion, Kim Zmeskal. The article about Erika was published in February 1992.
The same edition records a threat of legal action from the USA Gymnastics Federation, whose Director, Mike Jacki, did not like newsletter's fair and frank treatment of gymnastics themes, from injury and abuse to selection procedures. It is clear that as far back as February 1992 USA Gymnastics preferred to cover things up rather than address problems, and their tactics included coercion and threats. Nothing much has changed, has it, really.
You can view a PDF of the February 1992 issue here.
I do not intend to change the focus of this blog away from Russian gymnastics issues and opinions. But events in America have been overwhelming. I have lots of thoughts about them, and of course my sympathies are with the survivors. In brief, I firmly believe that gymnastics as a whole needs to do more, and to take the lead in addressing the problems of abuse in sports. We have all been mesmerised by the pursuit of medals, and we are all guilty of brushing evidence aside.
The February 1992 edition included a story about international gymnast Erika Stokes and her experiences in elite gymnastics, including a short section on her life at the Karolyi Ranch. I seem to remember many more similar stories with details of how the gymnasts were treated there. Remember, the Karolyis defected to the USA from Romania in 1981. By 1984 they had made an Olympic Champion of Mary Lou Retton, and by the end of 1991 they had their first World All Around Champion, Kim Zmeskal. The article about Erika was published in February 1992.
The same edition records a threat of legal action from the USA Gymnastics Federation, whose Director, Mike Jacki, did not like newsletter's fair and frank treatment of gymnastics themes, from injury and abuse to selection procedures. It is clear that as far back as February 1992 USA Gymnastics preferred to cover things up rather than address problems, and their tactics included coercion and threats. Nothing much has changed, has it, really.
You can view a PDF of the February 1992 issue here.
I do not intend to change the focus of this blog away from Russian gymnastics issues and opinions. But events in America have been overwhelming. I have lots of thoughts about them, and of course my sympathies are with the survivors. In brief, I firmly believe that gymnastics as a whole needs to do more, and to take the lead in addressing the problems of abuse in sports. We have all been mesmerised by the pursuit of medals, and we are all guilty of brushing evidence aside.
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