Gymnastics has a big ask; it not only requires great physical strength but also mental resilience. Gymnasts are frequently pushed to their limits; it’s a rigorous cycle. The culture of discipline in gymnastics that has come under examination after recent incidents for its harsh and abusive practices is saddening. This story unfolds with the tale of two gymnasts: Elvira Krasnobaeva and Laurie Hernandez, two similar instances with very different outcomes. Shedding light on how athletes have responded to mistreatment by their coaches. How one athlete receives support for speaking up and how the other runs out of luck and faces severe punishment.

Elvira Krasnobaeva, aged 16, is an Armenian gymnast (originally from Russia, formerly representing Bulgaria). She found herself in a difficult situation involving her coaches in Armenia after calling them out for mistreatment. Whereas 24-year-old Olympic medalist Laurie Hernandez openly spoke out against the mental and verbal torture projected onto her by coach Maggie Haney, leading to a suspension that has reshaped her career for the better. These two cases highlight the huge differences in how gymnasts’ welfare is handled across different nations, portraying the importance of providing a platform for athletes to voice their concerns without a second thought.

The Armenian gymnast’s punishment

Elvira Krasnobaeva switched her national allegiance from Bulgaria to Armenia after failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024. She had a loud relationship with the Armenian Gymnastics Federation. Regardless of significant financial investment to help her develop new routines and training, Krasnobaeva was reported to be someone who was displaying disruptive and disrespectful behavior. The Federation claimed that she had major problems, like acting out, dismissing training schedules, and showing arrogance to her coaches, even refusing to perform during practice sessions. According to them, it was bad.

This circumstance further escalated when Krasnobaeva’s mother, Alexandra Chernysheva, was involved. Chernysheva reportedly acknowledged her daughter’s difficult nature and revealed similar behavior during her time with Bulgaria’s national team. “Her mother confirmed that Elvira behaved similarly in Bulgaria but was tolerated,” the Armenian Federation said. Later on, the Armenian Federation withdrew Krasnobaeva from an important tournament in Dubai, given her failure to meet the standards of professional conduct that are expected of athletes. 

For Krasnobaeva, the sequence of things went wrong from there on. Some critics state that the Federation’s actions were ignorant, as they dismissed understanding the root causes of Krasnobaeva’s behavior and focused on protecting its own reputation. And in doing so, they encouraged a culture of silence where athletes, especially those who have been mistreated, feel pressured to remain silent or face harsh measures. 

Laurie Hernandez’s tale to justice

In the US, Hernandez stumbled upon a similar situation. She spoke out about the emotional abuse she had undergone due to her coach, Maggie Haney. Hernandez, an Olympic gold medalist, was mistreated and ridiculed for harsh verbal abuse during her early years with Haney.  She repeatedly berated her for minor mistakes and body changes due to puberty—something very natural, yet at that time, Hernandez believed that such treatment was just part of the rigorous demands of elite gymnastics. But the emotional toll was undeniable and unbearable, and eventually she burst.

Hernandez’s turning point came when she opened up to her mother, who had her doubts. Being her mother, she couldn’t just sit. She intervened in the matter, leading to Hernandez speaking out about the abuse. It was evaluated on the basis of body-shaming and controlling behavior. Later, the U.S.A. Gymnastics launched an investigation into Haney’s conduct and found her guilty. She was then suspended for eight years by the U.S.A. Gymnastics. Serving justice and validating Hernandez’s experiences. This step set a precedent for athlete protection, creating a sense of reliability and security among athletes.

When it’s about changing the sports culture, unlike the Armenian Federation’s response to Krasnobaeva, U.S.A. Gymnastics’ decision to suspend Haney was seen as a positive. As it was reinforcing the importance of safeguarding athletes’ mental and emotional health. The cases of Krasnobaeva and Hernandez were opposite. These differences point to the urgent need for a cultural shift in gymnastics. Wherein athletes can speak out against abuse without any fear. The decisions made by federations in these cases affect the individuals involved and also shape the future of the sport. It urged a more supportive and compassionate environment for athletes worldwide.