?Determine My Mental State?: Breaking Silence on Abuse, Former LSU Gymnast Bailey Ferrer Speaks of Support Amid Gut-Wrenching Reality of College Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport of poise, grace, and grit, but sometimes there lingers a dark shadow in this beautiful world. Weeks ago, 20-year-old Kara Eaker announced her retirement from gymnastics and the University of Utah gymnastics team. The reason behind this untimely retirement, she stated, was the abuse she faced due to a verbally abusive and aggressive coach.

Joining Eaker, another Utah gymnast, Kim Tessan also shared a similar distressing experience at the university. Their vocal advocacy shed light on the various cracks in college gymnastics. And now, in another recent incident, former LSU gymnast Bailey Ferrer has spoken heartfelt words of support while opening up about her own heartbreaking experience with college gymnastics at LSU.

Bailey Ferrer, former LSU Tiger, shares her college gymnastics ordeal

The Washington Post recently brought attention to the prevailing “toxic” culture within college gymnastics, amplifying the voices of gymnastics athletes Bailey Ferrer, Kara Eaker, and Raine Gordon. Bailey Ferrer opened up about the ordeal she experienced at her former alma mater, LSU. She shared that when she joined the prestigious institution in 2019, she was met with a culture that scrutinized “our tan, our makeup, our everything?. She also spoke about how the program handled the topic of weight, which began to affect her.

Ferrer spoke candidly about being explicitly told that weight gain was unacceptable, leading her to extreme measures such as skipping meals to meet weight expectations. She began dealing with eating disorders and even sought help for them in a treatment program that saved her.

Her brave expressions post-interview

Upon her return, Ferrer found herself isolated, with an empty locker in contrast to her teammates. The alienation continued during LSU’s meet against Alabama when the team was going into a huddle before one of its events. The coach pulled her out and said not to be in the photograph.? After her transfer to Auburn was denied due to her medical records not clearing, she was forced to medically retire and continue her final years at LSU without gymnastics.

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In a recent Instagram post, she bravely expressed her heartfelt emotions after this interview. Ferrer shared an old picture of herself dressed in an LSU leotard on Instagram. She stated in her caption how she was overwhelmed with the kind support she received upon sharing her story with the Washington Times and thanked her supporters.

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