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Gymnastics Coach Arrested Amid SafeSport's Delayed Action

12/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Concerns about gymnastics coach Sean Gardner emerged in Denver in 2017 after the Larry Nassar scandal.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport did not impose sanctions until 2022.
Gardner was arrested in August 2025 on child pornography charges, while SafeSport's issues delayed a permanent ban.
Civil lawsuits allege SafeSport and USA Gymnastics failed to protect young gymnasts from Gardner's misconduct.
Gardner's status is now ineligible, pending a March 2026 trial.

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Story summary

Concerns about gymnastics coach Sean Gardner emerged in Denver in 2017 after the Larry Nassar scandal.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport did not impose sanctions until 2022.
Gardner was arrested in August 2025 on child pornography charges, while SafeSport's issues delayed a permanent ban.
Civil lawsuits allege SafeSport and USA Gymnastics failed to protect young gymnasts from Gardner's misconduct.
Gardner's status is now ineligible, pending a March 2026 trial.