Statement of Support for the Athletes by International Gymnastics Camp

On Thursday, March 9th, International Gymnastics Camp released the following statement in support of athletes and the gymnastics community:

To the Gymnastics Community
Statement of Support for the Athletes by International Gymnastics Camp

The gymnastics community is a strong voice and it should not be silent in light of the current news in our industry. Abuse of any kind cannot be tolerated and anything less than putting our athletes’ well-being first, is unacceptable. We, as a community, have a moral obligation to our sport and to our youth.

On behalf of the gymnastics community, the Klaus Family and International Gymnastics Camp, I thank the athletes who have brought these allegations to light. We will always be indebted to them for their bravery in raising an issue that must be confronted. I cannot imagine what they have been through. They need and deserve an apology from the entire gymnastics community. As a community, if we cannot apologize, we cannot begin to move forward.

We need to come together to support the actions that will make sure our young athletes are safe from abuse of all types. Gym clubs, coaches and administrators alike deserve the unwavering support from the governing body that sets rules and regulations to keep our athletes safe. For our sport to continue to flourish, athletes’ safety and well-being must be our most important priority.

Therefore, it is with regret and deep concern and consideration for all of our athletes that International Gymnastics Camp, having put our sponsorship on hold in January 2017, has terminated our Official Sponsorship of USA Gymnastics (National Governing Body) until such time as a more comprehensive course of action is implemented and enforced consistently throughout all levels of our sport. USA Gymnastics must become the leading governing body in child safety considerations including National Team programs and club programs alike.

IGC will continue to support the athletes, the sport and the gymnastics community through other sponsorships and endeavors.

We must create a culture and environment that openly acknowledges that child abusers exist, and proactively work to prevent child abuse. Anyone in our gymnastics community who doesn’t listen to athletes coming forward is either naïve or turning a blind eye. We, as an industry, can help turn this from a problem our community is unwilling to talk about into something we can openly address and work to prevent.

Our industry is composed of athletes, coaches, administrators, judges and suppliers. It is time for all of us to stand up in an effort to make our sport free from abuse — physical, sexual and psychological, both mental and emotional.

Let our voices be heard in this endeavor to make our sport free from abuse of all kinds.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Brent Klaus
International Gymnastics Camp

Get the full statement in PDF format.