Training environments in gymnastics during the '80s and early '90s were characterized by fear, intimidation, and negative coaching methods. Coaches frequently forced athletes to perform dangerous skills while using threats and punishment, leading to severe trauma responses such as anxiety, depression, and powerlessness. The physical and emotional toll resulted in injuries that were often dismissed. Many coaches lacked appropriate credentials, and parents largely trusted them without question. Those who observed practices were frequently removed from direct involvement, further isolating young athletes in toxic environments that stifled their voices and experiences.
The toxic training environment was filled with an array of terrors that led to trauma responses like dread, anxiety, depression, and shame, as well as injuries that could never heal.
In that era, athletes had no language to depict what was going on or how it affected them, living in a culture where retaliation loomed over complaints.
Parents generally trusted coaches with their kids, even though club coaches often had no teaching credentials or training in child development, ethics, or proper background checks.
Many parents were just not present, while others who attended practices were often pushed back from the training space until they were out of earshot.
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