The Dark Reality of Gymnastics: Beyond the Smiles and Flips

The world of gymnastics may appear fascinating from the outside: the perfection of routines, the grace of movements, and the awe-inspiring acrobatics. However, what is not always visible to the public is the dark side many athletes face. The physical and mental pressures gymnasts endure can sometimes overshadow their performance on the mat.

One name that has recently come to light is Caitlyn Ohashi, whose story highlights the harsh reality behind gymnastics. Ohashi began her gymnastics career at the age of three and, by the age of 14, joined the U.S. national team, demonstrating exceptional talent by surpassing future Olympic champions like Simone Biles.

However, in 2013, her career was cut short by back and shoulder problems. What was surprising was that Ohashi was more than relieved to step away from the sport.

In a podcast released last year, she revealed that her coach had forbidden her from seeing a doctor to diagnose her issue, preferring to ignore the symptoms. This lack of care and support was the beginning of the end of her professional career.

Despite these challenges, Caitlyn Ohashi found the strength to recover. After a period away from the sport, she managed to get back in shape and began again as an amateur athlete.

Her return to fame came in 2019 when a video of her floor routine with a perfect 10 score went viral, accumulating over 242 million views by January 2023. However, this success does not obscure the struggles she faced behind the scenes.

Ohashi is not alone in her experience. Dominique Moceanu, another prominent gymnast, has shared her pain in her memoir “Off Balance.” Moceanu, part of the team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics, suffered emotional and physical abuse from her coaches and father. Throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for gymnasts who were victims of Larry Nassar, the gymnastics doctor convicted of sexual abuse. In 2017, Moceanu testified before Congress about the culture of fear and intimidation in the sport.

Abuse in gymnastics is not confined to one country. In June 2022, a report on gymnastics abuse revealed more disturbing details about the sport. The White Review, led by British barrister Anne White, documented how gymnasts were subjected to extreme punishments such as being deprived of food and forced to hang from rings. The report highlighted a series of inhumane practices that have often been tolerated in the sport.

Chelsea Memmel, one of the most decorated gymnasts in U.S. history, has spoken openly about the physical and emotional toll of gymnastics. Memmel has mentioned that the mental and emotional stress during her career led her to lose the ability to enjoy the sport she once loved. Her statement underscores the difficulty of maintaining high levels of success without serious consequences for mental and physical health.

The culture of cruelty in gymnastics, which has allowed figures like Larry Nassar to commit abuses, is a persistent issue. Jennifer Sey, U.S. champion in 1986, has highlighted how the environment in the sport contributes to these abuses, noting that the system not only tolerates but often encourages cruel treatment of athletes. Her book “Chalked Up” was one of the first to expose the physical and emotional abuse routinely positioned as fundamental experiences for success in the sport.

Recently, Leanne Wong, an American artistic gymnast, spoke about how many gymnasts fall out of love with the sport due to the tremendous mental and physical demands. Wong pointed out that the difficulty in mastering new skills and the constant pressure to meet high standards can be overwhelming. She noted that burnout and frustration are common, and the level of commitment required often leads to leaving the sport.

Gymnastics is a sport that demands immense sacrifice and effort. Often, the cost of achieving success includes physical pain, emotional abuse, and constant pressure that can be too much for many young athletes. While some manage to overcome these challenges and thrive, the reality for many is a constant struggle that can leave lasting scars.

As more gymnasts and former athletes begin to speak out about these experiences, the sport is being forced to confront and address these issues. However, the path to significant change is long and complicated. The world of gymnastics, with its dark side and relentless demands, needs profound reform to ensure that athletes do not have to pay such a high price for their success.

Perhaps one day, gymnastics will be a sport where the physical and mental well-being of athletes is prioritized, and stories of pain and sacrifice will give way to a new era of respect and care. Until then, it is crucial that we continue to question and advocate for change in the system so that the sport we love does not continue to be a source of suffering.