FBI Arrests American Gymnastics Coach on Child Porn Charges, Sparking New Abuse Scandal

Sean Gardner, a former coach at Chow’s Gymnastics in Iowa—a gym known for training Olympians like Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas—was arrested by the FBI in May 2024 on federal child pornography charges. The case highlights systemic gaps in safeguarding young athletes, echoing the Larry Nassar scandal that led to the creation of the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Rise and Fall of a Coach

In 2018, Gardner joined Chow’s Gymnastics, owned by Liang Qiao, a former Chinese national team member. He quickly rose to prominence, coaching elite junior gymnasts and directing high-profile events. However, by 2022, SafeSport suspended him after multiple abuse allegations surfaced. Court records reveal Gardner allegedly sexually assaulted three gymnasts at Chow’s and secretly filmed girls undressing in a bathroom at his prior Mississippi gym.

Sean Gardner after his 2024 arrest (Image: FBI)

Allegations and Slow-Moving Investigations

In March 2022, a gymnast reported Gardner to SafeSport, accusing him of inappropriate touching and verbal abuse. SafeSport suspended him four months later, but police struggled to advance the case as victims hesitated to press charges. A 2024 report from another gymnast revived the investigation. She described years of abuse starting at age 11, including inappropriate touching and covert filming.

Chow’s Gymnastics, where Gardner coached (Image: Google Maps)

Hidden Camera Evidence

In May 2024, FBI agents raided Gardner’s home, uncovering a trove of child pornography. Devices held images of nude girls (ages 6–14) filmed in gym bathrooms, including footage from his former Mississippi workplace. A hidden camera in a bathroom at Jump’In Gymnastics captured victims changing, and Gardner was seen disabling the device in one video.

SafeSport’s Controversial Role

Despite SafeSport’s 2022 suspension, Gardner worked at an Iowa hospital in 2024, exposing flaws in the system. SafeSport, tasked with addressing abuse in Olympic sports, faces criticism for slow, opaque processes. With only 30 investigators handling 8,000 annual reports, delays are common. Attorney Steve Silvey, a frequent critic, called the center “part of a larger problem,” citing poor coordination with law enforcement.

Olympians Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas trained at Chow’s (Image: Getty)

Lingering Trauma and Systemic Failures

Victims’ reluctance to come forward—often due to fear or embarrassment—allowed Gardner to evade consequences for years. One mother considered suing Chow’s, claiming the gym ignored complaints. Meanwhile, USA Gymnastics President Li Li Leung acknowledged SafeSport’s challenges but urged more transparency.

Gardner, now jailed, faces up to 30 years if convicted. His case underscores the fragile trust in systems meant to protect athletes. As SafeSport struggles to reform, survivors and advocates demand accountability—not just in gymnastics, but across all youth sports.

Main image caption: Larry Nassar’s abuse scandal led to SafeSport’s creation (Image: AP)

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This condensed version maintains key details while prioritizing clarity and impact. It emphasizes systemic failures, Gardner’s predatory actions, and the enduring trauma for victims, framed by the broader context of the Nassar scandal.