Why Safe Sport? Watch "Athlete A" on Netflix.

[Mac123]

I’m aware this will be inflammatory, but I feel like it’s so important.

I’ve seen SO many people question, criticize, denounce, defy Safe Sport. I’m not saying it’s a perfect system (yet), but I absolutely say that it is vital and necessary.

If you haven’t yet, please watch the documentary “Athlete A” on Netflix.

To those of you wondering why survivors don’t come forward…because in many cases they DO, and they aren’t believed. They are vilified. They are minimized. Their reputations are questioned. In Kyle Steven’s case, she spoke up at age 6 and her parents didn’t believe her, taking the side of their friend Larry Nassar…continuing to think she was a liar until the truth came out about Nassar.

To those of you wondering why an independent body like SS is necessary…because in many cases, the individual governing bodies cover it up (like USAG and Michigan State. Nassar’s abuse was reported by many girls and women to both of those organizations, in addition to agencies like CPS, and he still was allowed to continue abusing hundreds of girls while appearing to be an esteemed man in society).

Why is Safe Sport needed? Because, in Kyle Steven’s words, “Our society is conditioned to put the reputation of a perpetrator above the welfare of a child.”

If you struggle to understand SS, I encourage you to watch Athlete A and the many, many interviews etc. on Youtube surrounding the Larry Nassar debacle. It is absolutely heartbreaking and makes it crystal clear why it is necessary. It also makes one wonder just how many complaints USEF has received about big name trainers or riders but won’t risk the reputations for the sake of protecting innocents.

[supershorty628]

YES. And THEN follow that up with listening to the podcast “Believed.”

[Mac123]

@supershorty628 Thank you - I haven’t listened to that one but will.

I’ve thought SS was necessary from the beginning. But after watching Athlete A and watching so many youtube videos lately about the Nassar situation, I’m just sick about it. And I can’t understand why anyone would question its necessity.

I also found it fascinating that the Nassar investigation was called a “witch hunt” and the survivors criticized and denigrated just as the SS investigations in our world have been. Then I heard Kyle Stevens quote this morning (the one in my OP) and just feel like that sums it up so perfectly.

[supershorty628]

I’ll be honest, I initially had some of the knee-jerk reactions that you still see about SS - because I didn’t know enough about it and was passing judgment on it based on that. There were opportunities I had as a junior that wouldn’t be do-able the way I did them under SS rules, and I was pretty vocal about thinking that really stunk for the kids in my situation. The more I’ve learned about the process, how SS actually works, and why it’s needed, the more I’ve supported it. I absolutely see the necessity of it, even if there are still some details that I don’t think apply to our sport as smoothly as they do to others.

I think it’s an important part of civil discourse to admit when we are/were wrong, own it, and do better moving forward, so I just wanted to acknowledge that.

[Mac123]

I agree that a lot of the new rules will seemingly interfere with experiences that we got to have and learn from. And yet, as I look back, I am blessed that I was with good people. I can’t even say I’m blessed I was with trustworthy people, because Larry Nassar was trustworthy.

That part of Safe Sport is complex especially because to an extent our sport is different than many others and it does inhibit a lot of the situations that have been standard in our industry. And yet I am guessing that those laxaties have enabled a lot of hidden abuse in our sport too.

[Annandale]

@Mac123

Why is Safe Sport needed? Because, in Kyle Steven’s words, “Our society is conditioned to put the reputation of a perpetrator above the welfare of a child.”

If you struggle to understand SS, I encourage you to watch Athlete A and the many, many interviews etc. on Youtube surrounding the Larry Nassar debacle. It is absolutely heartbreaking and makes it crystal clear why it is necessary. It also makes one wonder just how many complaints USEF has received about big name trainers or riders but won’t risk the reputations for the sake of protecting innocents.

I wish I had the ability to like your post many, many times. You’ve hit the nail on the head here (and Athlete A was absolutely infuriating and heart breaking).

[Tackpud]

@Mac123

Why is Safe Sport needed? Because, in Kyle Steven’s words, “Our society is conditioned to put the reputation of a perpetrator above the welfare of a child.”

This is the saddest statement ever, and unfortunately only too true as has been proven over and over. “Athlete A” and “Believed” should be required for everyone as they take the SafeSport training.

[Midge]

Those against Safe Sport will complain that this is all because of Nasser, as if he is ‘different’. As if there is some number of victims that suddenly makes a person deserving of prosecution.

[Mac123]

@Tackpud

This is the saddest statement ever, and unfortunately only too true as has been proven over and over. “Athlete A” and “Believed” should be required for everyone as they take the SafeSport training.

She said this and it just hit me in the gut. I watched Athlete A a few weeks ago but it was her statement that made me post it here. I honestly expected a big mess of a thread and find it curious that it’s not getting a lot of negativity. But as I watched Athlete A, I kept thinking “this answers every single question I’ve seen about why SS is necessary.”

[Jenerationx]

I can’t imagine anyone can watch that or listen to Believed podcast and question the necessity of SS. I was a barn rat, and was regularly the last kid at the barn…I could have easily fallen victim to my trainer and her husband if they were not amazing people. I’m thankful every day that they were, but other kids aren’t so lucky. They need SS, and everyone in the sport needs to be aware of and ready to stand up for the children that do become victims.

[541hunter]

“At the Heart of Gold” on HBO uses a lot of the same source material and interviews as the Believed podcast, in case anyone likes watching docs more than listening to podcasts or doesn’t have time to go through so many episodes. I definitely agree that Believed is worth the time—the creators leaned in to presenting Larry as a trusted, friendly, beloved guy, which I think is essential to understanding why he got away with what he did, and more importantly, why the Safe Sport rules are so vital.

And @supershorty628, thank you for voicing your perspective change. It’s hard to publicly change your opinion (I’ve been going through something similar on a non-horse related issue), but talking openly about it can help others follow your lead and be less defensive.

[crthunder]

@supershorty628

YES. And THEN follow that up with listening to the podcast “Believed.”

Absolutely. Watching Athlete A was difficult but as a teacher and competitor I found it also inspiring listening to what those gymnasts overcame to come forward and Stand up for themselves. I listened to Believed as well and it also was a gut punch. Safe sport is necessary and mandatory Reporters that didn’t follow up for those gymnasts should be ashamed. Safe sport isn’t Meant to be a witch Hunt against hugs and traditions. And I also appreciate that these documentaries also bring to light the reality of mental abuse and not just sexual/physical
abuse. It is not ok and we all are responsible to protect our fellow athletes, children and adults who want to enjoy their sport without abuse of any kind.

[Tackpud]

There is a new podcast out about the Karolis and their training methods. So hard on the kids - depriving them of food, parents, being a kid - all for gold medals. Series of 7 podcasts called “Heavy Medals”. Tough listening but worth it.

[Jenerationx]

@Tackpud

There is a new podcast out about the Karolis and their training methods. So hard on the kids - depriving them of food, parents, being a kid - all for gold medals. Series of 7 podcasts called “Heavy Medals”. Tough listening but worth it.

Thank you. I’ll have to listen to that one.

[EmilyM]

@Tackpud

There is a new podcast out about the Karolis and their training methods. So hard on the kids - depriving them of food, parents, being a kid - all for gold medals. Series of 7 podcasts called “Heavy Medals”. Tough listening but worth it.

I listened to this based on Your recommendation. Very good podcast

several years ago I also read Off Balance written by their star gymnast Dominique Moceanu. She details the torture that training with the Károlyis entailed. Her book was the first I had heard about the brutal methods. I believe her book predated the Nassar scandal breaking.

[caryledee]

Athlete A should be one of the options for Safe Sport training. It was truly eye opening for me.

[supershorty628]

@EmilyM

I listened to this based on Your recommendation. Very good podcast

several years ago I also read Off Balance written by their star gymnast Dominique Moceanu. She details the torture that training with the Károlyis entailed. Her book was the first I had heard about the brutal methods. I believe her book predated the Nassar scandal breaking.

Have you read Chalked Up by Jennifer Sey? I have it on my list to read but haven’t gotten to it yet - my understanding is it’s quite similar to Off Balance.

[Indy]

@supershorty628

Have you read Chalked Up by Jennifer Sey? I have it on my list to read but haven’t gotten to it yet - my understanding is it’s quite similar to Off Balance.

Chalked Up is fantastic. So is “Start by Believing”

[EmilyM]

@supershorty628

Have you read Chalked Up by Jennifer Sey? I have it on my list to read but haven’t gotten to it yet - my understanding is it’s quite similar to Off Balance.

I will give it a read. Thanks for recommending it

I find it alarming how coaches can push athletes through rather serious injuries. I realize elite sport comes with discomfort. I guess as a horse owner where if my horse is at all not right I back off the work and call the vet. It is hard for me to understand pushing through injuries. I realize humans have free will so ethically it is different, but perhaps with children it is not so different. I have zero experience in sports outside of riding and swimming.

My big question is whether it is possible to be an Olympic medal winning gymnast and not have to train or perform with an injury at some point. Or is it just inevitable.

[kmwines]

@EmilyM

I will give it a read. Thanks for recommending it

I find it alarming how coaches can push athletes through rather serious injuries. I realize elite sport comes with discomfort. I guess as a horse owner where if my horse is at all not right I back off the work and call the vet. It is hard for me to understand pushing through injuries. I realize humans have free will so ethically it is different, but perhaps with children it is not so different. I have zero experience in sports outside of riding and swimming.

My big question is whether it is possible to be an Olympic medal winning gymnast and not have to train or perform with an injury at some point. Or is it just inevitable.

I dont think anyone performing a high level athletic type job will ever be “injury free”. The extent of that probably depends on the person’s pain threshold, willingness to forsake long term consequences for an immediate goal, and the team around them. High level riders often ride very quickly after broken collarbones, wrists, stepped on/broken feet etc. If you fell and sprained your ankle/wrist a week before leaving for the Olympics, you’d wrap that thing up and keep going.

If you watch the Chicago Bulls docuseries they talk about scottie pippen playing with a migraine so bad he couldnt see straight.

With children I think it definitely becomes more complicated. There are many who in the moment don’t necessarily realize what they are giving up and the potential for long term arthritis, etc. And they feel pressured to please those around them, thinking it is really their own goal/desire.