10/8/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Gymnastics.
Gymnasts rely on body awareness, strength, flexibility, and rhythm to master sequences—from the vault, to the bars, to the floor. Whether you are a specialist or an elite all-arounder, you’ve spent hours practicing and building upon the essential skills and integrating them creatively into your routines. Then, grabbing your leotard and chalk, heading to the gym for your next meet, and sticking that landing. When we protect our gymnasts, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Gymnastics Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Gymnastics has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Gymnastics competition often involves subjective scoring, deducting from a baseline “perfect” score. Pressure and scrutiny to avoid point deductions can negatively impact self-esteem and confidence, and leave athletes emotionally vulnerable. This is often paired with potential pressure to have a certain body composition and to be physically small. Weight and size-related pressures and criticism can give coaches a high level of control over athletes, and also contribute to low self-esteem and possible eating disorders.
- Gymnasts may place a high level of trust in their coaches. This could lead to psychological dependence, blurred boundaries, and/or grooming in the coach-athlete relationship.
- In gymnastics, there can be a high risk and rate of injuries. Injured athletes may be especially vulnerable to abuse or exploitation when dependent on those in power to make treatment and return-to-sport decisions. Inadequate injury prevention and treatment protocols may be signs of neglect in the sporting environment.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
10/1/2026
Michigan prosecutor objects after Larry Nassar removed from state sex offender registry
9/30/2026
British Gymnastics apologises to former gymnast abused by coaches as a child
9/17/2026
Youth Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Teens, Monmouth County Jury Rules
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Gymnastics Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Mental Health, and Reporting within Gymnastics.
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Crash Course: Concussion Education
Physical Safety
Learn about the prevention and treatment of concussions.
F.E.A.S.T.
Mental Health
Find support, resources, or connections for families affected by eating disorders.
Gymnastics Ethics Foundation
Reporting
Reports can be made to the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation and through the appropriate national-level channels.
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs)
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of REDs, symptoms and causes of REDs, and prevention.
Spotting Safety During Tumbling
Physical Safety
Learn about proper spotting techniques in cheer.
The Hidden Risks of Overstretching: Injury Prevention Tips
Physical Safety
Learn how to recognize and prevent overstretching.
The Impact of Eating Disorders on Athletic Performance
Mental Health
Develop an understanding of the impact that disordered eating has on athletic performance.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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