[Wastedyouth]

Definitely happens in all sports.

I was/am heavily involved in Taekwondo as a coach/official, but was a high level athlete at one time.

The abuse and power dynamics of that sport make some other sports look normal.

I have seen coaches and trainers literally beat athletes with sticks and wooden swords in the late 80s and early 90s and even into the mid 2000s.

I was kicked out of a well regarded coaches program because I refused to be abused, verbally or physically and threatened the coach right back. But I was also a redneck kid from a small town who didn't give two ####s about respecting people just because of past accomplishments or supposed standings in the community.

I have seen this coach (Father of one of my team mates) repeatedly hit his own daughter till she cried for not doing a drill properly.

I spoke up at that point, but no one cared about it. That is the way things were done back then. Then the occurrence that got me removed happened shortly after.

I know personally several olympic coaches who have used their influence to get into relationships with girls 20 years their junior because of their influence they carry in the community. These coaches are finally being called out (you can see some of the stories in the news from the last couple years). These were well known stories in our circles and it was appaling what relatively sane and intelligent competitors, coaches and officials let pass, because "thats just the way it is" or "thats so and so's son/daughter" or "Don't you know who that is? He's an olympic coach".

That being said, I have been around these programs for over 30 years. And I have seen athletes being scared to call out people who can affect your career, or afraid of rocking the boat because it's someone who is highly regarded and will literally with one phone call make sure you never get to fight above a provincial level again. This is a situation that is promoted by people in power because it keeps them safe.

I can understand it from athletes of all ages because when you are in it, if you are vulnerable (which, to be honest, most high level athletes are, they are usually pretty immature because they spend the majority of their formative years training and not doing much else and often don't know better from lack of life experience), you will do anything to succeed. And it often comes at the cost of your own mind and body.

Edit: I should preface this with the fact that my own dad was very high up in the sport and I carried a level of protection most athletes did not, so I was privileged to be able to tell a coach to GFY and still be able to progress in the sport. My dad loved the sport more than anyone I ever knew and taught me to respect the people who gave me respect and supported me fully whenever I spoke up, but even he was shut down when the truth would come to light. It was dark back then and I am hoping it continues to get better. But I know personally more stories that will come to light, hopefully soon that might create more transparency.