NOTE FROM DOMINIQUE CONCERNING HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE
I’m excited for Tuesday night's broadcast of my interview for Real Sports on HBO. It will be interesting to see which parts of our discussion they use. I did, however, want to draw attention to a quote of mine from the HBO interview that was taken out of context by the Houston Chronicle this morning.
The article, which talks about tomorrow's HBO interview, reports that Mike and I wouldn’t put our daughter, Carmen, in the sport of gymnastics. This actually was taken out of context and is in fact the opposite of the truth!
As most of you know, despite my concerns about the way our sport is managed, I’m passionate about gymnastics and love the sport with all my heart. I have always said that I’d put Carmen in gymnastics -- and we still absolutely plan to. I am an advocate of change, however, with the highest level of management in my sport and I stand by that.
Labels: dominique
posted by *Dominique Moceanu* | 7/21/2008 12:26:00 PM
9 Comments:
Good for you Dominique speaking out in the article about change! And I know you love gymnastics and Carmen will be a star someday.
Just wondering why so much effort is put into personal opionions and not just sitting back and just enjoying the sport! We have the best Gymnsastics program since 2000. This program has produced results. I could not agree more with what Kim Zmeskal had to say. Sorry Dom!
Just wondering why we can't just enjoy the sport and stop with the politics. It won't change. To many poweres to be.
I think you has made the correct and true call. In an article in the Houston Chronicle, she said she is sad you feel that way. Marta Karolyi is attempting to play the victim. I wonder how many young girls dreams were tossed to the side of the road by Bela and Marta's outlandish coaching. What little girl and her family is not going to believe them when they are told their little darling can be a champion.
After the damage is done, it is too late.
It IS interesting that they both say they retired from coaching after the 1996 Olympics, but continue to stay involved. If they are not coaching in their present duties, what are they doing?
Dominique, I think you're brave for speaking out. There was a response from Dominique Dawes in the LA Times that said, "nobody put a gun to your head. You always had a choice." But what choice are you supposed to make at 15 when your parents are sacrificing so much for you to be successful? I think you're right - that just because the Karolyis have success doesn't mean they need to get it the way that they have for years.
Thanks for speaking out, Dom. The Karolyis have a huge reputation for being tyrants. This was chronicled in Little Girls in Pretty Boxes and many articles. Parkettes is also supposed to be hellish. They probably learned from Bela. Dom, you look beautiful by the way.
that's my girl! you stay strong and keep your head held high... you are a great athlete, mentor, and now a mother... don't ever doubt yourself for speaking out and doing what is right... -Ash
I saw the HBO Real Sports interview and I just want to commend you for having the courage to open up about the abuse you suffered at the hands of the Karolyis. Regarding the comments made by Zmeskal Burdette, Dawes and others, of COURSE they can only speak of THEIR experiences. However, for people (especially former teammates) to comment negatively on your personal accounts of abuse is absolutely reprehensible. If anything, they ought to be compassionate and supportive. Abuse, no matter the form or context, should ALWAYS spoken-out against, despite whatever backlash may come; otherwise, no minds would be opened up and no change would ever be made. Abuse is abuse. It is NOT tough love, it is NOT "for your own good" and should certainly NOT be "just the way it is". Those who adhere to these erroneous beliefs are either naive/ignorant and/or in-denial. Now 27 years old, I've followed the Olympics since I can remember (at least since '92 or '96) and had heard about the Karolyi abuse back then, as well. It's a shame that the Karolyis continue to dominate elite gymnastics BECAUSE many parents and athletes, etc. blindly accept this type of treatment as being okay. Obviously, children who are hard-driven by their parents are not going to feel they CAN complain or set limits for themselves. Therefore, it is up to us adults in various roles (parents, coaches, teachers, etc.), to be their voice when they cannot be -- to advocate for them -- to set boundaries and encourage healthy self-images.
The Houston Chronicle strikes again... they take most everything else out of context too and bloggers like me have a full time job keeping them straight. Kudos for standing up to be counted in your sport.
Post a Comment
<< Home