26 October 2011

Coach Resigns After Sexual Abuse Allegations

Coach Resigns After Sexual Abuse Allegations

Former Olympic gymnastics coach Don Peters has resigned his membership with USA Gymnastics and his coaching and director positions at a notable Huntington Beach gymnastics club, according to the Orange County Register.

Peters’ resignations follow his inclusion in an investigative series by the Register last month that shared more than a dozen allegations of sexual abuse of underage gymnasts by their coaches in the 1980s.

Doe Yamashiro, a U.S. national team member in the 80’s who trained with Peters at SCATS Gymnastics, told the Register that Peters fondled from the age of 16 and had sexual intercourse with her when she was 17.

Another women, who was not identified in the series, said Peters had sexual intercourse with her at the age of 18.

Linda McNamara, a former assistant director at SCATS, told the paper that Peters confirmed his sexual relationship with Yamashiro and two other teenage gymnasts to her in the '90s.

Peters has not been arrested and will not be charged as the statute of limitations under California law has since expired.

USA Gymnastics scheduled a hearing for Nov. 11 in Indianapolis to decide whether Peters should be permanently banned from the sport.

Under Peters’ leadership, the U.S. took home eight medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. That year, Mary Lou Retton won the gold in the all-around women’s competition.

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