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"The dynamics we can't change are these: Gymnastics routines are scored by assessing the difficulty value of the routine, which places a premium on doing the most difficult skills in combination and do as many as possible to maximize the D-score. 1/6
That open-ended part of the scoring system has driven the escalation of training for strength, power, endurance necessary to perform an inordinately high number of difficult skills. 2/6
What we can't allow are coaches who abuse their power & take advantage of these inherent dynamics to raise the temperature by using fear, shame, embarrassment, humiliation, withholding approval, social engineering, threats of punishment, etc. to push them BEYOND their limits. 3/6
The depth of talent, ability & accomplishment in the US elite program has perpetuated the 'myth' that our system works. Those in contention for Team USA are inside a culture that too often requires them to be quietly compliant, even through injury or hellish emotional abuse. 4/6
USA Gym made the calculation that it could afford to "break" a few great gymnasts in the path to Olympic glory because our conveyor belt was filled with replacements. Yes, it worked for some, but at what cost to thousands of children and to what end if the process is harmful. 5/6
Today, we cannot say that a system without abuse would produce better results; a system that is intense, but in a positive way, would work, because we have not tried it or demanded it. We are now. 6/6
Please take the time to read the entire piece as it is not just gymnastics at a crossroads.
