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The FBI has arrested Sean Gardner, a former coach at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute, years after he was quietly suspended from coaching.
Court records reveal Gardner, 38, is accused of sexually abusing young gymnasts and secretly filming athletes undressing at his previous job in Mississippi.
Despite being suspended by SafeSport in 2021, his case dragged on without resolution. Now, Gardner faces a federal child pornography charge, reigniting criticism that SafeSport’s slow investigations leave athletes vulnerable.
The arrest comes as U.S. gymnastics is still healing from the Larry Nassar scandal… and once again highlights failures in protecting athletes.
