Today let’s turn our focus from one shoddily run and dangerous organization, the GOP to another. That’s right. I’m talking about USA Gymnastics. By now we’re all familiar with the deeply harmful conditions imposed upon our country’s top tier gymnasts. Over two decades starting the 1990s. More than 368 people allege that they were sexually assaulted by employees and coaches of the organization. Specifically team Dr. Larry Nasser was named in just hundreds of lawsuits filed by athletes who alleged that he had sexually abused them for years and years under the pretense of providing medical treatment. Nasser is currently incarcerated and will almost certainly play out his remaining years in prison.
Again in 2021, longtime US Olympic gymnastics coach John Guittard, he died by suicide just hours after being charged with human trafficking and sexual assault. It’s safe to say that a harsh spotlight has been shown on what’s going on within the close knit community of women’s gymnastics. And, of course, that’s good. Except the problematic practices of the organization don’t stop with alleged willful ignorance of decades long abuse. The safety of the women who train and bleed for our country has very simply never been of paramount importance and continues not to be just a few days ago while competing at the 2023 world artistic gymnastics championship in Belgium. Simone Biles became the first woman to ever perform the Euro Chanko double pike. This skill will now be named the Biles to the fifth of skills that have been named for her. It’s amazing. Julie, it’s a performance that will go down in history. Buyers often take small score deductions because the power of her performance can cause her to sort of bounce backwards upon landing, but on this occasion, there was an additional half point deduction. The reason?
The reason because her coach was standing on the map ready to assist should this incredibly risky vault go awry, which could happen even with a gymnast of Biles abilities, her hand could slip her push off the vault could be off center she could under rotate and land on her head. You may recall back in 2021, when Biles made the choice to step away from the Tokyo Olympics and the sport after experiencing the twisties a common condition that affects gymnasts, spatial orientation, and one that can create very real safety fears. Upon Biles returned to the world stage she and her coach elected to have him physically on the mat. While she performed the wo Chanko. He wasn’t touching her he wasn’t interfering. He was simply there for her personal safety and one might presume well deserved peace of mind.
And this wasn’t a sign of weakness or self doubt. It was a sign of bravery and self advocacy. It was consistent with Byles ongoing refusal to put her physical and mental well being in serious danger for her sport. No one’s job should require being put into life and death situations, especially when protective measures are available. Biles and her coach did the right thing by having him there to ensure her safety and mitigate any anxiety she might have been experiencing. And the fact that she still received a deduction for this choice is yet more evidence of where the organization’s priorities lie. Hint It’s not with the athletes
Commentary
Our commentary partners will help you reach your own conclusions on complex topics.
‘Divided we fall’: Americans discuss concerns for democracy
Oct 10 Dr. Frank Luntz‘That was great’: Undecided voters react to Walz-Vance debate
Oct 4 Dr. Frank Luntz‘A bipartisan problem’: Americans debate immigration policy
Sep 30 Dr. Frank LuntzHurricane Helene hits US coast, Appalachia and beyond
Sep 27 Peter ZeihanUSA Gymnastics not prioritizing safety of Simone Biles
By Straight Arrow News
Simone Biles and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team achieved an impressive seventh consecutive world title at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. Biles is now the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history, and the American women’s team has maintained their unbeaten streak in world team titles since 2011.
Despite their remarkable achievements, controversy surrounds the organization. Straight Arrow News contributor Jordan Reid contends that USA Gymnastics has misplaced priorities and is failing to adequately support its athletes.
Just a few days ago, while competing at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Belgium, Simone Biles became the first woman to ever perform the Yurchenko double pike. This skill will now be named the Biles II, the fifth of skills that have been named for her. It’s amazing. Truly, it’s a performance that will go down in history. Biles often takes small score deductions because the power of her performance can cause her to sort of bounce backwards upon landing, but on this occasion, there was an additional half-point deduction.
The reason — because her coach was standing on the mat, ready to assist should this incredibly risky vault go awry, which could happen even with a gymnast of Biles’ abilities. Her hand could slip, her push off the vault could be off-center, she could under-rotate and land on her head.
You may recall back in 2021, when Biles made the choice to step away from the Tokyo Olympics and the sport after experiencing “the twisties,” a common condition that affects gymnasts’ spatial orientation and one that can create very real safety fears. Upon Biles’ return to the world stage, she and her coach elected to have him physically on the mat while she performed the Yurchenko. He wasn’t touching her, he wasn’t interfering, he was simply there for her personal safety and, one might presume, well-deserved peace of mind.
Today let’s turn our focus from one shoddily run and dangerous organization, the GOP to another. That’s right. I’m talking about USA Gymnastics. By now we’re all familiar with the deeply harmful conditions imposed upon our country’s top tier gymnasts. Over two decades starting the 1990s. More than 368 people allege that they were sexually assaulted by employees and coaches of the organization. Specifically team Dr. Larry Nasser was named in just hundreds of lawsuits filed by athletes who alleged that he had sexually abused them for years and years under the pretense of providing medical treatment. Nasser is currently incarcerated and will almost certainly play out his remaining years in prison.
Again in 2021, longtime US Olympic gymnastics coach John Guittard, he died by suicide just hours after being charged with human trafficking and sexual assault. It’s safe to say that a harsh spotlight has been shown on what’s going on within the close knit community of women’s gymnastics. And, of course, that’s good. Except the problematic practices of the organization don’t stop with alleged willful ignorance of decades long abuse. The safety of the women who train and bleed for our country has very simply never been of paramount importance and continues not to be just a few days ago while competing at the 2023 world artistic gymnastics championship in Belgium. Simone Biles became the first woman to ever perform the Euro Chanko double pike. This skill will now be named the Biles to the fifth of skills that have been named for her. It’s amazing. Julie, it’s a performance that will go down in history. Buyers often take small score deductions because the power of her performance can cause her to sort of bounce backwards upon landing, but on this occasion, there was an additional half point deduction. The reason?
The reason because her coach was standing on the map ready to assist should this incredibly risky vault go awry, which could happen even with a gymnast of Biles abilities, her hand could slip her push off the vault could be off center she could under rotate and land on her head. You may recall back in 2021, when Biles made the choice to step away from the Tokyo Olympics and the sport after experiencing the twisties a common condition that affects gymnasts, spatial orientation, and one that can create very real safety fears. Upon Biles returned to the world stage she and her coach elected to have him physically on the mat. While she performed the wo Chanko. He wasn’t touching her he wasn’t interfering. He was simply there for her personal safety and one might presume well deserved peace of mind.
And this wasn’t a sign of weakness or self doubt. It was a sign of bravery and self advocacy. It was consistent with Byles ongoing refusal to put her physical and mental well being in serious danger for her sport. No one’s job should require being put into life and death situations, especially when protective measures are available. Biles and her coach did the right thing by having him there to ensure her safety and mitigate any anxiety she might have been experiencing. And the fact that she still received a deduction for this choice is yet more evidence of where the organization’s priorities lie. Hint It’s not with the athletes
Why is Trump spreading lies about FEMA and disaster response?
Why we must double down for a Kamala Harris victory
Trump’s lavish lifesyle makes a mockery of his own supporters
Fossil fuels industry is behind GOP opposition to electric vehicles
Don’t let your Trump-supporting partner influence your vote
Underreported stories from each side
IMF boss warns higher prices are ‘here to stay’ amid weak growth and rising debt
10 sources | 0% from the leftAbortion rights group sues after Florida orders TV stations to stop airing ad
20 sources | 12% from the right Getty ImagesLatest Stories
Unraveling Trump’s Jan. 6 case: Where do things stand one year later?
Seattle officer saves man from oncoming train
Apple’s secret partnership with Chinese automaker BYD revealed
Roblox responds to report it attracts pedophiles and lies to investors
Israel confirms Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza
Popular Opinions
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum.
Why is Trump spreading lies about FEMA and disaster response?
7 hrs ago Jordan ReidJoe Biden’s failed foreign policy legacy
12 hrs ago Matthew ContinettiA new approach to tackling hurricane disaster response
Yesterday Newt GingrichOnly Kamala Harris can be trusted with US nuclear arsenal
Yesterday Adrienne Lawrence