Gymnastics Is Life

WAG, MAG, Trampolining, Tumbling, Acro, DMT, Rhythmic Gymnastics and a bit of dance just to keep things interesting. It doesn't matter how far you go as long as you don't stop!

[gymfanconfessions]

[elenazamos]

me waiting for the FIG to say something about USAG now that the USOC has threatened decertification:

[iordikachu]

anyway there are STILL people saying these girls just want fame money exposure and whatever else? SURE AM FUCKING GLAD THEY HEARD THIS WHOLE HELL BE CALLED “JUST THIS NASSAR THING” AND THINK ALIKE TOO MOST LIKELY, BUT ALSO CALL THESE KIDS FAME WHORES AS IF THAT WAS A FEASIBLE OPTION let the concept of brains rest, it’s too much for you

[didisbulimar]

I was speaking to my Aunt. One of my little cousins trains at a major gym in Missouri. She called me super pissed because the parents are all so angry that USAG is losing sponsorships and this is in the headlines, because some of the gym kids are being harassed and asked if they too were molested by Nassar. They wish this did not make the news like it did. My aunt had a few words for a lot of those stage moms that live through their children.

[fuck-usag]

It’s sad the kids are being harassed - who are they being harassed by? Like kids in school? For those parents that are angry USAG lost sponsorship…they should be fucking THANKFUL their kid didn’t get any further in the sport before this was revealed. What those women in court are doing is going to help protect the next generation of athletes ie THEIR CHILDREN. 

[fuck-usag]

For the national team camps are you only talking about the U.S because that shit happens way worse in other countries and it shouldn’t be allowed but I don’t if your talking about all countries or just the U.S so I don’t want to like be mean to you but I know in Romanian the kids used to live at the camps it wasn’t just for the summer they lived their and I know that they would physically abuse them bad though I think Nadia might of talked about but I don’t remember

I wrote the post I think you’re talking about in anger about USAG and Mattie talking about her experiences but I’m well aware that’s happened in other countries so my anger is definitely applicable there too. On another note, I think some of the shit Romania is going through right now is because the athletes realise they don’t want to be abused by their coaches (If I remember correctly people have talked about abuse in their system recently too, more mental abuse than anything) and just quit early in their careers, which I applaud them for. It’s no way to live. A shame their gym system has to suffer because there aren’t enough athletes, but if they aren’t going to change the way they coach despite the girls dropping out like flies the minute they reach international level, then I guess they’ll never be great again and so be it. I’d rather the athletes live happily than suffer. 

Like I don’t care if the old system worked and produced champions in the 70s and 80s, those old systems were based on fear and intimidation and power and control. This is the 21st century, a cultural change has occurred since the time that old system worked, athletes are demanding respect and to be treated like equals, not workhorses. 

[illyria-and-her-pet]

Marta and Bela were definitely super abusive in Romania according to Emilia Eberle and Geza Pozar. And Belu and Bitang were super abusive in Romania too according to Alexandra Marinescu and Maria Olaru.

[nanningbee]

[sunisalee]

now that nassar’s in jail i’m gonna need usa gymnastics to burn to the ground and for the karolyis, the akopyans/other coaches involved in the abuse of their gymnasts, and every adult who knew and let nassar get away with such evil acts, to be punished. we need a new gymnastics system and we need to do away with valeri liukin tbh. we aren’t done yet.

[elenazamos]

ngl I’m angry about the whole situation, angry at Nassa, USAG, the USOC, MSU etc., but also I’m relieved that finally people outside of the gymnastics community know about this? and even though it took gym fans two years of apparently screaming into the void, a gym podcast and website, a handful of reporters, 4 Olympic medalists coming forward and one wrathful judge to make it happen, people finally know, and people are angry and finally USAG is being forced to change and people are being held accountable. 

[nanningbee]

[morgiboosunshine]

I agree wholeheartedly. Its amazing what women can do. USAG NEEDS to change and I think all these people, all these STRONG people bringing this situation to light are helping them do that.

[illyria-and-her-pet]

WHAT THE FUCK, DIE JOHN GEDDERT

[morgiboosunshine]

wtf please go die John Geddert. Go die in prison with your BFF Larry Nassar.. You both deserve to get shivved. 

[olympichampion]

It says a lot that Mihai was the one who came up to Mattie and hugged and encouraged her after her fx.

[courtyard-tapir]

[morgiboosunshine]

YES AT&T!

[bitcherovas-deactivated20180903]

I think what’s annoying me about all the new statements and posts from people is that a lot of them seem to now be making excuses for themselves (cough cough Doc Ali) for not doing better. Now everyone is talking about what a master manipulator he was and while it’s true it doesn’t excuse the fact that tons of adults around him were irresponsible.

The other thing that annoys me is that you shouldn’t need to hear more than a hundred women tell you the dirty details of how they were violated for you to realize what a big deal this is. You should have known that a year ago.

It seems really convenient that all of a sudden everyone wants to be the light or is committed to changing the culture when the case started getting national attention. Some of the same people who were close personal friends with the Karolyis. Who said Dominique Moceanu only cared about herself.

I do think that for a lot of the athletes, not to be super dramatic, but I feel like it’s kind of like a hostage situation. I think because this culture was never questioned and for a lot of them it’s all they knew they always told themselves it was normal or it’s what it took to be at the top. Seeing the comments from former elites on twitter, and especially how they are supporting each other and recalling instances where they had to comfort each other to get through is really telling. I feel like they’re all finally to some degree having a cathartic moment where they can finally talk about the pain and trauma and feel like they’ll be supported and not shunned.

Even with Nastia even though I’m still a little skeptical of her sincerity about her commitment to change the culture I keep thinking of the year she fell on beam at Nationals and Valeri wouldn’t even look at her. I don’t think she was completely spared from the emotional manipulation. At the same time I’m not sure she realizes how fucked up that is. I’m not sure she realizes how damaging that type of coaching can be to other athletes and this is where my incredulity kicks in.

I’m sensitive to the fact a lot of people felt like they couldn’t say anything but I’m also sensitive to the fact that for more than 2 years the survivors had to endure their friends and colleagues complete silence.

It shouldn’t take almost an entire olympic team coming forward with stories of abuse for everyone to finally start caring. It shouldn’t take a world medalist saying she would rather hurt herself than go to the national team training camp for people to question the culture created in the gym.

Be better.

[olympichampion]

In case you needed something pure on your dash, here’s Aly and Lynn Raisman petting Preston the therapy dog (x).

[nbcnews]

How an ‘army of women’ confronted gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar

There was the one who is pregnant, and the one who still has braces.

The one with six Olympic medals, and the one who went into medicine like her mentor.

The one who said she forgives Larry Nassar, and the one who told him, “I hate you so much.”

Over the course of an extraordinary week, they stood up and spoke out in a Michigan courtroom, telling the world how Nassar — doctor to the stars in the high-pressure world of gymnastics — molested them over and over again during appointments.

Read more of the words of more than 150 accusers here. 

[melnikovagelya]

quotes from mattie’s statement. my heart hurts for her. fuck nassar and the karolyis and every single adult who took part in this.

[morgiboosunshine]

FUCK NASSAR, FUCK THE KAROYLIS, 

[gymnastics2008]

[tutyayilmazz]

View this post on Instagram

simonebiles  To Judge Aquilina : THANK YOU, YOU ARE MY HERO 😭❤️ | Although there is not a scripted path to healing. I know it makes me feel relieved that he can no longer hurt any more beautiful souls. | I just wanted to shout out all of the other survivors for being so brave and speaking like the queens that you are while looking at that monster and not letting him destroy you any more. He will no longer have the power to steal our happiness or joy. I stand with every one of you 💛

[thefutureisporcelain]

I love these girls and I love this sport so much. I am so proud of everyone who has come forward, and of everyone who is now living their best life, happy and strong.

I love you Katelyn. ❤️❤️❤️

[k-ohashi]

The fact that Katelyn (and based on the comments, numerous other ex-elites) feel this way is so unbelievably sad. Adults shouldn’t ever be creating such a terrible environment that children hate performing at the top level. I really really REALLY hope USAG have a major cultural shift

[ghost-in-the-ujb]

I honestly don’t think I’ll ever forget this.

[davaistoi]

an accurate reflection of what she thought about his letter. ICONIC~