The gymnastics world is constantly changing with new headlines each week. Here are three of the biggest news stories in gymnastics this week.
Louis Smith Receives Two-Month Ban
British Gymnastics decided to ban Olympic medalist Louis Smith from competition for two months after an offensive video was leaked to the public. In the video, Smith and fellow gymnast Luke Carson pretended to recite an Islamic prayer in a mocking fashion while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” which means “God is greatest.” The video was taken at a wedding reception. According to Reuters, Carson did not face a similar ban because he retired from gymnastics last year but was reprimanded by the organization.
Louis Smith won silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games as well as an individual bronze medal in 2008. Smith was also part of the men’s Olympic bronze medal-winning team in 2012.
Karolyis Accused of Not Reporting Sexual Abuse
In a lawsuit filed by a 24-year-old former gymnast, the plaintiff claims that Bela and Martha Karolyi knew that she was being sexually abused by a team doctor but failed to report it. The Associated Press (via Yahoo News) reports that Dr. Larry Nassar allegedly sexually abused the unnamed plaintiff repeatedly from 2006 to 2011 while she was on the national team. Although the lawsuit accuses the Karolyis of not reporting the abuse, no details are being released about what the coaching duo knew specifically.
In addition to not reporting the sexual abuse, the lawsuit further accuses the Karolyis of abuses of their own. The duo is alleged to have hit gymnasts and scratched them until they bled. The Karolyis are also accused of depriving their gymnasts of food and water and shaming them on their physical appearance.
Breanna Hughes Named Pac-12 Scholar of the Year
University of Utah student Breanna Hughes had the honor of being named the Pac-12 Scholar of the Year in a special ceremony in Salt Lake City. Hughes, who maintains a 3.965 GPA, is ranked 10th in the U.S. in the all-around and also ranked in the top 15 in vault, floor and uneven bars. She is currently pursuing her education in human development and family studies.
Article: Ryan Benjamin
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