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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Arena Abuse Scandals in Sports

Discussion in 'Community' started by Darth McClain, Nov 9, 2011.

  1. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    Abso-****-lutely.
     
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  2. Diggy

    Diggy Chosen One star 8

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    Feb 27, 2013
    So, people working for USAG turned a blind eye, ignored the signs and what have you, really disgusting. But surely some parents must have known something and did nothing? Absolutely gross.

    And I'm sorry that the current generation might miss out on the next Olympics, but some things are more important, and the institution needs to be punished.
     
  3. Juliet316

    Juliet316 Chosen One star 10

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    Apr 27, 2005
    A lot of them tried and USAG still did nothing, nor did police in some of these cases apparently.
     
  4. Diggy

    Diggy Chosen One star 8

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    Feb 27, 2013
    Then they should have gone to newspapers.
     
  5. Point Given

    Point Given Manager star 7 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 12, 2006
    Yeah US Gymnastics needs to be blown up and reformed. It'll suck for the athletes but shock therapy is needed to make sure this never happens again and the experience of missing 2020 will help that.
     
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  6. Diggy

    Diggy Chosen One star 8

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    Feb 27, 2013
    Yes, very well put.

    However, there would be more chance if this was a sport the US didn't get a lot of medals in....
     
  7. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    Nassar and/or officials affiliated with him were very good at convincing parents that their children were lying.

    In the case of Kyle Stephens, who testified on Wednesday, when her father found out that his daughter was telling the truth years after dismissing her, he could not live with the shame and took his life.

    That's a death tied directly to Nassar and anyone who protected him.
     
  8. Juliet316

    Juliet316 Chosen One star 10

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    Apr 27, 2005
    That death and the deaths of other victims who committed suicide because of him over the years.
     
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  9. yankee8255

    yankee8255 Force Ghost star 6

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    May 31, 2005
    Sorry, but not letting them compete in 2020, or under another flag, would first and foremost punish the athletes, who are also the victims of this. How would you feel if, as an American gymnast, you weren't allowed to march with the the other American athletes at the opening ceremony because of the actions of others. The Russian punishment is a vastly different situation.

    The wrath of heaven and hell combined should come down on those responsible. Samuel L Jackson Pulp Fiction style. But athletes who worked their asses off for years and may even have Ben victims of Nassar themselves, should have the full Olympic experience.
     
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  10. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    I'd be sick. However, were I a parent of one of those athletes, my first priority would be the safety of my child - entrusting an organization that pushed generations of athletes into the arms of physical, psychological, and sexual abusers without any assurances that said organization had been turned on its head and fumigated is not worth the risk, just to attain Olympic glory.

    If it can be done without interrupting the careers of these young athletes, then that is preferable. It cannot be half-assed, though, and although the temporary pain for some would be a shame, it is the preferable option to allowing USAG to limp on in its current state, and run the risk of another Larry Nassar or Bela Karolyi weaseling their way back in to terrorize new generations, once the current outrage has died down in a few years.
     
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  11. Juliet316

    Juliet316 Chosen One star 10

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    Apr 27, 2005
  12. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    an excellent point re: the ncaa's revolting lack of involvement with mich state:

     
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  13. yankee8255

    yankee8255 Force Ghost star 6

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    May 31, 2005
    Ironic that MSU’s president was quite vocal in demanding stiff sanctions against Penn State.
     
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  14. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    Here's the rationale of the MSU Board's Vice Chair for keeping the President who oversaw the largest sexual abuse scandal in NCAA history:

    [​IMG]

    tl;dr - she raises money.

    eat **** for life, bro
     
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  15. Juliet316

    Juliet316 Chosen One star 10

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    Apr 27, 2005
    When is Harbaugh's contract with them up again?
     
  16. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Jul 13, 2005
    Other than that, how was the play, Mrs Lincoln?
     
  17. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    Harbaugh's at UM - this is Michigan State.
     
  18. Juliet316

    Juliet316 Chosen One star 10

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    Apr 27, 2005
    :oops:
     
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  19. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    175 years for nassar, adding on his 60. when you think of all of the kids who likely didn't speak up added on to the 168 who did, probably less than a year per crime.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2018
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  20. Diggy

    Diggy Chosen One star 8

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    Feb 27, 2013
    Adios, ya sick ****.

    Edit: Nassar, not heels. This time.
     
  21. DarthIntegral

    DarthIntegral JCC Baseball Draft/SWC Draft Commish star 9 VIP - Former Mod/RSA VIP - Game Host

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    Jul 13, 2005
    The hope is that the criminal prosecutions continue. Nassar needs to be the first of many.
     
  22. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    And that any and everyone who enabled him, directly or through negligence, face painful and significant consequences. Regardless of wealth, status, or fundraising ability.
     
  23. Juliet316

    Juliet316 Chosen One star 10

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    Apr 27, 2005
    And he's being sentenced soon for another plea deal he made, so yeah, he's never getting out.
     
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  24. yankee8255

    yankee8255 Force Ghost star 6

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    May 31, 2005
  25. heels1785

    heels1785 Skywalker Saga + JCC Manager / Finally Won A Draft star 10 Staff Member Manager

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    Dec 10, 2003
    An open letter from Scott Blackmun, CEO of USOC:

    To Team USA:

    The athlete testimony that just concluded in the Nassar hearings framed the tragedy through the eyes of the victims and survivors, and was worse than our own worst fears. It was powerful because of the strength of the victims, survivors and parents, who so eloquently and forcefully told their stories and so rightfully demanded justice. The USOC should have been there to hear it in person, and I am deeply sorry that did not happen.

    The purpose of this message is to tell all of Nassar’s victims and survivors, directly, how incredibly sorry we are. We have said it in other contexts, but we have not been direct enough with you. We are sorry for the pain caused by this terrible man, and sorry that you weren’t afforded a safe opportunity to pursue your sports dreams. The Olympic family is among those that have failed you.

    I know this apology is not enough. We have been working on taking steps at the USOC and mandating changes among National Governing Bodies to ensure this does not happen again. Our next steps will be these:

    1. We Must Change the Culture of the Sport. This was the primary recommendation of the independent Deborah Daniels Report on USA Gymnastics and the athlete testimony underlined its importance. We heard athletes describe being unsure or unaware of how to report abuse and to whom, and sometimes even what constitutes abuse. We heard athletes describe being afraid or discouraged from reporting abuse. We heard athletes describe feeling hurt, betrayed, discounted and alone. Since October of last year, we have been engaged in direct talks with USAG leadership on this fundamental point. New leadership at the board level is critical and you recently saw three USAG board resignations. Further changes are necessary to help create a culture that fosters safe sport practice, offers athletes strong resources in education and reporting, and ensures the healing of the victims and survivors. This includes a full turnover of leadership from the past, which means that all current USAG directors must resign.

    2. We Must Change the Governance Structure of the NGB. We need to help USA Gymnastics better support its mission, which is to provide the best resources and safest environment for athletes to train and compete. We have strongly considered decertifying USAG as a National Governing Body. But USA Gymnastics includes clubs and athletes who had no hand in this and who need to be supported. We believe it would hurt more than help the athletes and their sport. But we will pursue decertification if USA Gymnastics does not fully embrace the necessary changes in their governance structure along with other mandated changes under review right now.

    3. We Must Know Who Knew What and When. The USOC has decided to launch an investigation by an independent third party to examine how an abuse of this proportion could have gone undetected for so long. We need to know when complaints were brought forward and to who. This investigation will include both USAG and the USOC, and we believe USAG will cooperate fully. We will make the results public.

    4. We Must Support Safe Sport Victims and Survivors. Team USA safe sport assault victims and survivors need access to testing, treatment and counseling. The USOC will devote substantial funds to help provide these resources to victims and survivors. We are working on the details of how this funding will become available to athletes and will communicate them soon.

    I hope that all members of Team USA remember that the USOC ombudsman office is always available to provide free, independent and confidential help to athletes with concerns or questions about safe sport or other matters. Contact information, along with other helpful athlete resources, are here.

    In order to bring even more focus and urgency to these important points, the USOC board of directors has mobilized a board-level working group chaired by independent board member Susanne Lyons. Susanne can be reached at susanne.lyons@usoc.org.

    Finally, I invite any member of Team USA to communicate with me or Ms. Lyons directly if there is more that you think the Olympic family can or should be doing for you and your families.

    Sincerely,
    Scott Blackmun
    Chief Executive Officer
    United States Olympic Committee

    --

    Small step in the right direction.
     
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