Youth gymnastics coach sentenced to 90 years in prison for child pornography A prominent youth gymnastics coach was sentenced to 90 years in prison for secretly recording his young students undressing. A prominent youth gymnastics coach, Sean Gardner, was sentenced to 90 years in prison on Wednesday for secretly recording his young female students undressing and using the bathroom at a Mississippi gym. U.S. District Judge Kristi Johnson gave Gardner the maximum sentence possible, ordering him to serve 30 years in prison for each of the three federal child pornography production charges. Gardner, 39, pleaded guilty to placing a hidden camera in a bathroom at a gymnastics studio in Purvis, Mississippi, between December 2017 and April 2018. Investigators recovered videos from his computers showing close-up images of at least 10 minors naked or undressing.Iowa Students Alleged Predator Used PositionSeveral of Gardner's former students at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa, have alleged that he used his position to prey on them. The institute was founded by prominent coach Liang "Chow" Qiao, who is known for producing Olympic champions. Gardner coached several youth prospects and served as director of an annual winter meet that drew hundreds of gymnasts to Iowa.He has not been charged in connection with any of the Iowa allegations, and police have said they would wait to determine how to proceed after the federal case concludes. The lawsuits have also alleged that the sport's oversight bodies, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport, were told about inappropriate behavior by Gardner in 2017 but failed to take action to remove him from the sport for years.SafeSport temporarily suspended Gardner in 2022 after a Chow's gymnast alleged sexual abuse, and Chow's fired him then. The institute has faced scrutiny over its handling of allegations against Gardner. A 2022 investigation by SafeSport revealed 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.Arrest Renewed Questions About SafeSport ProtectionGardner's arrest last summer by the FBI renewed questions about whether U.S. gymnastics authorities had done enough to protect athletes from sexual abuse at the hands of an influential coach. The case has sent shockwaves through the gymnastics community, which has been grappling with a growing number of allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct. The U.S. Center for SafeSport has said it is committed to helping the sport address these issues and ensure that athletes feel safe and supported.The case will continue to be closely watched as authorities await the outcome of the federal case. The Iowa allegations will also be investigated further, and it remains to be seen how they will be resolved. Gardner's sentence is seen as a major victory for the victims and their families. The case highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight in the sport to protect its athletes from abuse.The gymnastics community is working to rebuild trust and create a safer environment for its athletes. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of this work and the need for continued vigilance. In the aftermath of the case, there will be a thorough review of the sport's policies and procedures to ensure that they are adequate to protect its athletes.The sport is committed to supporting its athletes and ensuring that they have the safest and most positive experience possible. The case will continue to be a topic of discussion and reflection in the coming weeks and months. It is a difficult and painful experience for everyone involved, but it is also an opportunity for growth and improvement. The gymnastics community will continue to work together to create a safer and more supportive environment for its athletes.