All-Olympia gym closes its doors

The scandal-rocked All Olympia Gymnastics Center announced on 3rd November that it will be closing down. Run by former gymnasts Artur Akopyan and Galina Marinova, the club had been shaken after reports of abusive training techniques came to light.

Former AOGC gymnasts McKayla Maroney and Mattie Larson, among others, described being forced to train while injured and attacks on their weight, along with other serious problems. In an interview with GymCastic, Maroney said, “Artur and Galina, they’re the best technical coaches in the whole entire world. Artur changed my gymnastics. And I’m so forever grateful for that. But just like mentally, they just messed me up. Like so badly.”

Akopyan and Marinova responded to Maroney’s interview, saying “Don’t forget who gave their time, heart, and soul to help you get to the top.”

With the criticism surrounding USA Gymnastics’ handling of sexual assault and abusive training complaints, scrutiny has sharpened on individual clubs, and AOGC has been named in lawsuits to do with the Larry Nassar scandal, as a key contributor to the atmosphere of secrecy and pressure that allowed the situation to escalate.

Akopyan and Marinova said in a letter explaining the closure of AOGC, “As you know, it has been a difficult few years for the gymnastics world. The rumors and accusations in the gymnastics arena create an environment that is unhealthy for our kids and staff, especially for us. The negativity surrounding the sport that we so dearly love has impacted us so much that we no longer feel that we can do our jobs properly.”

Former AOGC gymnast Franklyn Moreshead responded to the news on Instagram, saying: “When I heard your doors were closing after 18 years, my first emotion was relief and then followed by more relief. […] I hope you take the time you now have from stepping away and are able to understand the mental and physical damage you caused many beautiful girls who you never thought were good enough for you. It was toxic and I’m glad no other generation will have to live through this.”