Kara Eaker is a well-known name in the world of gymnastics. 2018 and 2019 were big years for the gymnast, as she not only made her senior year debut but also showcased immense talent. Following this, Eaker also had a chance to represent America at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as she accompanied the team as an alternate.

Kara then made her NCAA debut with the University of Utah in 2021. However, the 20-year-old recently announced her untimely retirement from the sport. This decision and the reason behind it have rattled the gymnastics community. And now, after Kara Eaker’s announcement of her retirement, Olivia Dunne, Leanne Wong, and other gymnasts have joined millions in heartfelt support for her.

The retirement announcement that shook the gymnastics community

In a recent post, Kara Eaker took to Instagram to share her unfiltered thoughts. She shared a carousel post with the caption, “To all of you who have been waiting patiently for an answer, Thank you all for the love and support I’ve received, and I’m truly grateful to have you all stand with me! Yours truly, Kara Eaker.”

In the post, Eaker spoke at length about the abuse she had faced as part of her college team. She wrote, “For two years, while training with the Utah Gymnastics Team, I was a victim of verbal and emotional abuse. As a result, my physical, mental, and emotional health has rapidly declined”.

The post further got into the details of the heartbreaking treatment the young gymnast faced. She wrote about how “the abuse often happened in individual coach-athlete meetings.”

She said, “I would be isolated in an office with an overpowering coach, door closed, sitting quietly, hardly able to speak because of condescending, sarcastic, and manipulative tactics.” Opening up about the details, she also said how the traumatic experience affected her, and she opened up about her painful struggles with PTSD, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

However, she also used her voice, and toward the end of her note, she encouraged athletes, especially gymnasts facing the same plight, to voice their experiences against the injustices. She wrote, “I am here to support you because I care about everyone. You are not alone”. This message and statement by the young gymnast rallied the community. Soon, big names in the sport of gymnastics came forward to stand in solidarity with the star.

Olivia Dunne and Leanne Wong and others in support of Kara Eaker

Big names like Olivia Dunne, Leanne Wong, and others came forward and shared their heartfelt support for Kara Eaker and her bold move. Leanne Wong, the talented gymnast who was part of Team USA at the 2023 World Championship, wrote, “You are so strong, Kara!”.

Following this, Olivia Dunne, the highest-paid NIL female athlete and LSU star, wrote, “Sending love, Kara”. Many others chimed in like Morgan Hurd, who is a five-time member of the United States women’s national team, wrote, “So so proud of you for speaking out Kara, sending all the love your way”.

Aleah Finnegan, another LSU standout, said, “You are so incredibly loved, Kara. You are strong. You deserve so much more”. Emma Malabuyo of the UCLA Bruins wrote, “Sending you all my love”.

Victoria Nguyen of the Florida Gators said, “You are so strong Kara, sending love”. Even other senior elite members of the sport gave their support. Joscelyn Roberson was also part of the Team USA squad at the World Champions; Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, the 2022 World All-Around Champion and the 2023 Silver Medalist in AA at the World Championships, along with Yul Moldauer, part of the Team USA men, also liked the post showing their support.

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Many fans also chimed in, and many even used Eaker’s platform to share their experiences. Kara has also updated her bio. And she is now on a mission, rallying against the abuse she faced and taking a stand so that others will not go through the same experience as her.

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