USA Gymnastics
United States of America Gymnastics (USA Gymnastics or USAG) is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Established in 1963 as the U.S. Gymnastics Federation (USGF),[1] USA Gymnastics selects and trains the men's and women's national teams for the Olympic Games and World Championships. USAG sets the rules and policies that govern the sport of gymnastics, promotes the sport at all levels, and serves as a resource center for members, clubs, fans and gymnasts.[1]
The programs governed by USAG are:
The women's artistic program holds multiple nationally televised competitions each year.
The USAG was central to the largest sex-abuse scandal in sports history.[3] In 2016, two decades of widespread sexual abuse of athletes, mostly minors, by coaches and other people overseen by USAG came to light. This led to federal and state investigations and prosecutions, and the resignations of the USAG president and board. In 2018, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) began to decertify the USAG as a national governing body[4] but put the process on hold after USAG declared bankruptcy; it ultimately decided not to act in 2021, citing the organization's reform efforts. More than 500 athletes sued USAG and USOPC, alleging that the organizations were partially culpable for their sexual assaults; in 2021, the organizations settled the lawsuits for $380 million.[5]
History[edit]
Origins[edit]
USAG was established in 1963 as the U.S. Gymnastics Federation.[1]
The need for a governing body had begun to appear at the 1959 Pan American Games, when friction developed between the games' organizers, the Amateur Athletic Union, and the Olympic Gymnastics Committee. The NCAA was dissatisfied as well, and asked the National Association of Gymnastics Coaches to begin planning for a new national governing body. The U.S. Gymnastics Federation was established in 1963. But resistance by the AAU, which was loath to relinquish control over gymnastics, and other factors meant that the new federation was not internationally recognized as the governing body of U.S. gymnastics until 1970.[6]
The organization renamed itself USA Gymnastics in 1993.[7]
Programs[edit]
Women's Artistic programs[edit]
The Women's Artistic programs includes the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise events.
