Gymnastics is a sport filled with grace, strength, and camaraderie. In this world, 20-year-old Kara Eaker has become a well-known star, having represented America on the global stage. However, recently, Eaker announced her abrupt retirement from gymnastics, her exit from the University of Utah, and also from its gymnastics team. In a heartbreaking post that shocked the community, Eaker opened up, sharing that when she joined the university’s team, she was promised a family-type support system and safety; however, instead, she “was training in an unhealthy, unsafe, and toxic environment”.

Instead of receiving positive and encouraging critiques to improve her skills as a gymnast, she stated she was left feeling afraid by the loud and angry outbursts from her coach. Eaker revealed the repercussions of the situation, which highly affected her physical and mental health. At the end of her somber update, she invited more athletes to come forward and voice their experiences without any fear so that their voices would unite to further encourage change. And now, following in the footsteps of Eaker, another gymnast from the university has spoken up against facing the same issues and a toxic sporting culture.

Another gymnast comes forward and calls out toxic sports culture

Kim Tessan, who was a senior gymnast on the Utah gymnastics team, recently opened up about her experience in a 7-slide carousel post on Instagram. She shared that people may be surprised at her experience because she finished her eligibility at the university and even had a successful college career. She stated that while she recognized the many opportunities given, like free education, apparel, housing, and other facilities, “it was not worth the abusive and toxic environment” she had to endure for 4 whole years.

Tessen, like Eaker, said she too was promised a “caring, family-type environment with an understanding coach.” However, she “quickly learned that the whole culture on the U of U gymnastics team was one of comparison: of each other’s skill levels, each other’s bodies, and each other’s academic abilities”.  Kim Tessen shared how everything the team did was constantly monitored and stated, “We received excessive criticism in everything we did, mainly from Tom. This is the main reason I lived with so much fear and anxiety”.

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She stated that she was verbally abused without any signs of sympathy and also opened up about painful details like her physical boundaries being violated several times because these aggressive interactions would include her coach yelling and pointing very closely at her face. Seeing this happen to her and even others caused her to feel even more fear. Because of her mental health challenges, she would sometimes make mistakes; however, Tessen was termed “careless” or “selfish,” and said, “I was told that I should “just go somewhere else if I was going to be lazy.”

Standing in solidarity with Kara Eaker, Tessan addressed the university

Tessen even took further steps and opened up about her mental health struggles in a written message to the coach, but she stated that he decided to address the group instead of her individually. Kim revealed that she wanted to prove their opinions, and she continued to work hard towards her goals.

She wrote, “I finished my career with several esteemed accomplishments and awards despite his obvious lack of belief in me”. Kim Tessen also made her fans, followers, and fellow athletes aware that “absolutely nothing ever justifies abusive behavior. None of these coaching tactics are normal or healthy. It is not normal or healthy for your coach to make you feel physically unsafe”.

She directly addressed those defending this behavior and spoke directly to the coaching staff, the athletics department, and the university in her post, “We shouldn’t have to beg for our feelings to be recognized. We do not exist for your entertainment. We do not exist to maintain your reputation. We do not exist to be your moneymakers”.

Read more: Video: Days After Kara Eaker’s Untimely Retirement America Muses Over the Star’s Mesmerizing Skill

She continued writing, “If you’re still not going to do anything about this, I hope you at least hear the voices of the people asking for change”. She stood in solidarity with Kara Eaker and said she hoped her story was heard and would make a change in the system.

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