Sean Gardner was hired at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute in 2018 but was suspended four years later due to serious allegations of sexual abuse. Court records reveal he was accused of abusing three gymnasts and recording others undressing. Following his suspension, the FBI arrested Gardner on federal charges related to child sexual abuse images. Despite the gravity of the allegations, Gardner's case remains unresolved within the SafeSport oversight process, which has been criticized for its slow and opaque handling of such cases.
In cases like Gardner's, the public can be in the dark for years while SafeSport investigates and sanctions coaches.
The coach was accused of sexually abusing at least three young gymnasts at Chow's and secretly recording others undressing in a gym bathroom.
SafeSport requires that allegations be reported to police to ensure abusers don't run unchecked outside of sports, but critics say the system is a slow, murky process.
While acknowledging there can be delays as its investigations unfold, SafeSport defended its temporary suspensions in a statement.
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