Former Utah gymnast Kara Eaker has announced her retirement from gymnastics and withdrawal from the University of Utah amidst allegations of abuse. Eaker, who is only 20 years old, claimed to have experienced verbal and emotional abuse while training with the Utah Gymnastics Team.
During her three years at Utah, Eaker had a successful career and achieved significant milestones. She was a member of the U.S. National Team for four years, a two-time World Champion, and a 2020 U.S. Olympic Team alternate.
Eaker referenced the Husch Blackwell investigation into alleged emotional and verbal abuse by Women’s Gymnastics head coach Tom Farden in her retirement statement. The investigation concluded that Farden did not engage in severe emotional, verbal, or physical abuse. However, Eaker described the investigation as incomplete.
In her statement shared on Instagram, Eaker detailed the emotional toll the alleged abuse took on her. She disclosed her declining physical, mental, and emotional health, which led to a diagnosis of severe anxiety and depression, anxiety-induced insomnia, panic attacks, PTSD, and night terrors. She also revealed that she sought professional help, seeing a university athletics psychologist for a year and a half and a new provider twice a week due to suicidal and self-harm ideation.
Eaker expressed her disappointment and heartbreak over the unhealthy and toxic environment she encountered at the University of Utah Gymnastics Team. She expected to find a supportive family and sisterhood but instead experienced personal attacks, humiliation, degradation, and yelling from her coach in front of the whole team.
According to Eaker, the emotional and verbal abuse occurred in individual coach-athlete meetings where she felt powerless and unable to speak up. She described the coach’s behavior as condescending, sarcastic, manipulative, and intense. Eaker provided examples of the coach belittling and berating her, using profanity, and creating fear and panic attacks. The coach’s anger, slamming mats, and intimidating gestures further prevented her from feeling confident enough to stand up for herself.
Eaker expressed her concerns about the wider issue of abuse in sports, emphasizing the need to speak out for those who are mentally debilitated and paralyzed by fear. She called for an end to the acceptance of coaches who manipulate, bully, and berate athletes, highlighting the devastating consequences that such abuse can have, including suicide.
In her reflection on the matter, Eaker also criticized the University’s athletic department for failing to address the emotional abuse and verbal attacks she reported. She claimed to have been dismissed by administrators who denied the existence of abuse, leading her to feel gaslighted. According to Eaker, the lack of support and complicity within the system further exacerbated the problem.
Eaker disagreed with the findings of the Husch Blackwell investigation, regarding it as incomplete and lacking credibility. She believes crucial evidence and information were omitted from the report, and the few descriptions provided were inaccurate.
Despite the challenges she faced, Eaker emphasized her achievements as a gymnast, both nationally and internationally. She expressed her determination, hard work, and discipline, highlighting her high scores and accolades. Eaker asserted that she is not weak physically, mentally, or emotionally and believes in the power of truth and the need for safety.
In conclusion, Eaker voiced her commitment to be part of the solution and stop the cycle of abuse in sports. She encouraged others to recognize early warning signs of abuse, seek help, and report it. Eaker called for unity in making a difference to protect girls and women from abuse and suffering. The gymnast hopes that her own voice will inspire others to come forward, emphasizing the strength in numbers.
Eaker’s retirement announcement and allegations of abuse have once again brought attention to the issue of abuse within gymnastics and the need for comprehensive measures to protect athletes.
