‘Worse Than Gymnastics’: Lawsuit Makes Explosive Sex Abuse Allegations Involving USA Diving

By The Blaze. Two former USA Diving athletes have sued the sport’s national governing body, claiming the organization failed to act when the athletes accused a former coach of coercing and forcing them into frequent sex, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The lawsuit focuses on coach Will Bohonyi, who formerly coached at Ohio State University and competed at Indiana University. One of the plaintiffs is a former Ohio State diver, and the other is a former Indiana University diver.

The Ohio State University diving club describes itself as the “second highest ranking junior competitive USA Diving team in the United States,” and the school is named as a defendant in the lawsuit along with Bohonyi and USA Diving.

“Bohonyi psychologically coerced (the woman) into believing that she was required to perform sexual services in exchange for her continued involvement in diving,” the lawsuit read. “He preyed on her age, vulnerability, and dreams of becoming an Olympian, and used the power structure and imbalance of power (coach/athlete) to make her believe she was required to sexually service him in exchange for her involvement in diving for Team USA.” . . .

According to the lawsuit, Bohonyi allegedly began coercing the former Indiana diver into daily sex in 2009 by telling her she owed him in exchange for helping her achieve her athletic goals. (Read more from “‘Worse Than Gymnastics’: Lawsuit Makes Explosive Sex Abuse Allegations Involving USA Diving” HERE)

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‘You Owe Me This’: USA Diving Accused of Ignoring Alleged Sexual Abuse of Divers

By USA Today. A class action lawsuit against Indianapolis-based USA Diving accuses the national governing body of ignoring or obstructing sexual abuse allegations, and the lawyer says the organization is “worse than gymnastics, worse than swimming.”

USA Gymnastics has been in turmoil since an IndyStar investigation that started in 2016. . .

Attorney Jon Little said in an interview with IndyStar that other divers have come forward and “this is just the beginning for USA Diving.”

A spokeswoman for USA Diving said in a statement Monday, “Providing a safe environment for our members is of tremendous importance to USA Diving, and we take these matters very seriously. USA Diving is unable to comment further at this time.” . . .

During a meet in August 2014 in Knoxville, Tenn., the girl’s teammate informed the head coach of the Ohio State Diving Club about the abuse, the lawsuit alleges. The girl, who had just turned 17, was sent home. Bohonyi stayed. (Read more from “‘You Owe Me This’: USA Diving Accused of Ignoring Alleged Sexual Abuse of Divers” HERE)

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