As the Olympics continue with Athlete’s of various ages, both young and older alike it’s important for us to know and understand that times have changed from yesteryear regarding coaches interact with the youth or younger athlete(s).

Only due to situation of completely sick individuals who abused the youth playing sport that the changes were indeed needed.

Canada’s Coaching Association has taken a major role in creating a consistent and efficient process to make background screening easier for all National Sports Organizations, Coaches, Referee’s and Volunteers.

The Coaching site states “The Coaching Association of Canada and its partners recognize the importance of responsible and ethical coaching, and we are committed to ensuring the safety of all participants in sport.”

We’re pleased to be working with SterlingBackcheck to help all sport organizations implement a consistent national screening program for their coaches and volunteers,” said Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the CAC. “With this service, coaches and their represented sport organizations can receive results within one business day, ensuring timely screening and a forgery-proof process”, she added.

The US site verified volunteers mentions an enhanced CRB check for youth coaches, referees and other volunteers at amateur, Olympic and youth sports organizations are fast-becoming a requirement in many cities and states. If they’re not required today, they will be soon.

With that being mentioned it’s interesting that the following is coming out of a report from the Indianapolis Star who conducted an investigation.

As Gymnastics wraps up in Rio it’s not without controversy surrounding the US Women’s National Gymnastics team.

The leave with an overpowering nine medals as well as a legal trademark on the nickname “The Final Five.”

It’s now reported that USA Gymnastics apparently returning to the US with how sexual abuse allegations are handled.

The report comes out of the blue following an investigation by the Indianapolis Star that the USA Gymnastics that the organization is seeking assurances that the organization is doing enough to protect young gymnasts from sexual predators.

The investigation, first published Aug. 4, revealed that officials of the Indianapolis-based nonprofit routinely dismiss allegations of child abuse unless they receive a complaint signed by a victim or a victim’s guardian.

The investigation uncovered four instances in which USA Gymnastics was warned about abusive coaches but did not forward the allegations to authorities.

All four (4) coaches went on to abuse underage gymnasts.

Kellogg’s spokeswoman Kris Charles stated in email. “We are deeply troubled by the report and we have expressed our concerns to USAG, and we will continue to watch this situation closely.”

The company known for its iconic Kellogg’s Corn Flakes/Frosted Flakes is the title sponsor of the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions starting Sept. 15.

It’s reported that the tax forms for USA Gymnastics do not break out how much the 36-city tour brings in, but USA Gymnastics revenue increased considerably in the previous Olympic year.

All of the performances are showcased in major arenas with two being scheduled on the same day at Staples Center in LA and it’s reported that ticket prices range from $29 to $299.

Not surprising that the USA Gymnastics failed to respond any questions regarding the story, but ironically the day the women’s team won the Olympic gold medal, USA Gymnastics filed for the trademark “The Final Five.”

Kellogg’s did not elaborate on its concern and in addition to Kellogg’s, state and federal lawmakers also have asked USA Gymnastics for answers and called for more stringent reporting.

Two key Indiana lawmakers said they want to know if USA Gymnastics broke child-abuse reporting laws and it’s reported that the Chairman of the Indiana House Judiciary Committee Greg Steuerwald openly criticized USA Gymnastics’ policy for handling of complaints.

USA Gymnastics officials said in deposition testimony that they required first-hand information before reporting sex-abuse allegations to authorities.

But Steuerwald, who played a key role in the recent re-write of Indiana’s criminal code, said the state’s reporting threshold is a low bar and does not require first-hand knowledge of a crime.

“We have one of the lowest standards requiring them to report,” he said. “It doesn’t get any lower than that.”

David Long, the state Senate’s top lawmaker, also said it was up to law enforcement to determine if USA Gymnastics broke the law.

However, federal, state and local law enforcement officials either declined to say if they intend to investigate or would not answer the question directly.

US Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Josh Minkler stated “he couldn’t comment directly on USA Gymnastics but added a warning.”