Gymnastics coach gets 90 years for recording minors Former youth gymnastics coach Sean Gardner was sentenced to 90 years in prison for recording his young female students without their consent. Gardner, 39, was handed the maximum possible sentence in a federal court for secretly recording his students at a Mississippi gymnastics studio between December 2017 and April 2018. The recordings showed close-up images of at least 10 minors naked or undressing, which were recovered from Gardner's computers years later. Several former students at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa, have alleged that Gardner used his position to prey on them. The institute was founded by prominent coach Liang "Chow" Qiao, who is known for producing Olympic champions.Allegations of grooming and misconductGardner coached several youth prospects and served as director of an annual winter meet that drew hundreds of gymnasts to Iowa. USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport were allegedly told about Gardner's behavior in 2017 but failed to take action. Former students described Gardner's behavior as "grooming" and said he would often hug and kiss them on the forehead or pat them on the butt.One 11-year-old gymnast said it was normal for Gardner to make inappropriate jokes and ask teen girls about their sex lives. Gardner was temporarily suspended by SafeSport in 2022 after a gymnast alleged sexual abuse, but he was not removed from the sport. The lawsuits against Gardner have alleged that USA Gymnastics and SafeSport failed to take action to remove him from the sport for years.Gardner pleaded guilty to the federal charges in August 2025 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for each of the three charges. He will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for his crimes. The sentencing of Gardner has renewed questions about whether U.S. gymnastics authorities have done enough to protect athletes from sexual abuse.The case has also highlighted the failures of USA Gymnastics and SafeSport to take action against coaches who have been accused of misconduct. Gardner was arrested by the FBI in August 2025 and is being held in a federal prison.Coaches aware of Gardner allegationsThe U.S. Center for SafeSport has said that it learned during its investigation that Chow and other coaches had been aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against Gardner but failed to report them to the center as required by its policy. Gardner's case has brought attention to the issue of sexual abuse in gymnastics and the failures of the sport's oversight bodies.The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting athletes from abuse and the need for stronger measures to prevent such abuse in the future. Gardner's former students have spoken out against him and the sport's failures to protect them. They allege that Gardner used his position to prey on them and that USA Gymnastics and SafeSport failed to take action.The case against Gardner has been ongoing for several years and has led to numerous lawsuits against the gymnastics coach and the sport's oversight bodies. It serves as a reminder of the need for stronger measures to protect athletes from abuse and the importance of taking action against coaches who have been accused of misconduct. Gardner's sentencing is a major victory for the former students and gymnastics community who have been advocating for justice in this case.The sentencing of Gardner sets a precedent for future cases of sexual abuse in sports and highlights the importance of taking action against coaches who have been accused of misconduct. Gardner's case has also brought attention to the failures of the U.S. Department of Education's Title IX office to enforce its policies regarding student-athlete safety.Criticism of Title IX office handlingThe Title IX office has been criticized for its handling of cases involving sexual abuse in sports and its failure to provide adequate support to victims. The handling of Gardner's case has raised questions about the effectiveness of the U.S. gymnastics program's policies and procedures for preventing and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. Several lawsuits have been filed against USA Gymnastics and SafeSport over their handling of Gardner's case.The lawsuits allege that both organizations failed to take adequate action to prevent and respond to the allegations of sexual misconduct against Gardner. In one lawsuit, a former student alleges that USA Gymnastics and SafeSport failed to take action after receiving reports of Gardner's misconduct in 2017. Another lawsuit alleges that SafeSport failed to conduct a proper investigation into the allegations against Gardner before temporarily suspending him in 2022.Gardner's case has also led to calls for increased transparency and accountability in the U.S. gymnastics program. Many are calling for USA Gymnastics and SafeSport to release more information about their handling of Gardner's case and other cases of alleged sexual misconduct within the sport. The handling of Gardner's case has highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in the U.S. gymnastics program.Several organizations have called for major changes to be made to the U.S. gymnastics program's policies and procedures in order to prevent and respond to allegations of sexual misconduct. The calls for change have come from a range of stakeholders, including former gymnasts, parents, and advocates for athlete safety.The U.S. Department of Education's Title IX office has been criticized for its handling of student-athlete safety and its failure to enforce its policies to prevent and respond to allegations of sexual misconduct. The office has been accused of failing to provide adequate support to victims of sexual abuse and of not taking adequate action against coaches who have been accused of misconduct. Gardner's sentencing is a major step towards justice for the victims of his abuse.It highlights the importance of taking action against coaches who have been accused of misconduct and the need for greater accountability and transparency within the U.S. gymnastics program. The case against Gardner serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting athletes from abuse and the need for stronger measures to prevent such abuse in the future. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability within the U.S. gymnastics program.Program promises policy changes and transparencyThe gymnastics program has promised to make major changes to its policies and procedures in order to prevent and respond to allegations of sexual misconduct. The changes are aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within the program and ensuring that athletes are protected from abuse. The U.S. gymnastics program has promised to release more information about its handling of cases involving alleged sexual misconduct. This move is aimed at increasing transparency and building trust with the gymnastics community.The program has also promised to take a more proactive approach to preventing and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. This includes increasing education and training for coaches and staff on how to identify and report signs of abuse. The program will also be increasing its support for athletes who have experienced abuse. This includes providing counseling and other resources to help athletes heal and rebuild their lives.The U.S. gymnastics program has a long way to go in rebuilding trust with the gymnastics community. However, the changes promised by the program are a step in the right direction. It remains to be seen whether the program will be able to implement these changes effectively and provide the level of transparency and accountability that is needed to protect athletes from abuse.In the meantime, the victims of Gardner's abuse will continue to fight for justice and ensure that their voices are heard. Their bravery and resilience will serve as a catalyst for change within the U.S. gymnastics program. It is a reminder that athletes and their families will no longer be silenced or intimidated. The U.S. gymnastics program must continue to take steps to prevent and respond to allegations of sexual misconduct.This includes taking a proactive approach to educating coaches and staff on how to identify and report signs of abuse. It also includes increasing support for athletes who have experienced abuse. The program must also prioritize transparency and accountability within its ranks. This means being open and honest about its handling of cases involving alleged sexual misconduct.It also means taking decisive action against coaches who have been accused of misconduct. The U.S. gymnastics program must continue to work towards a future where athletes feel safe and supported. Where coaches who have been accused of misconduct are held accountable. And where the program prioritizes the well-being and safety of its athletes above all else.