Top Gymnastics Coach Accused Of Slapping Gymnast In Face

quote:

---

Ten former gymnasts told The Post that Akopyan physically abused them or their teammates when they were girls, including nine who said he had thrown young gymnasts to the ground in anger, sometimes hard enough to leave bruises. In 2010, documents show, Los Angeles police investigated him for possible child abuse over allegations he dragged a young girl by the neck and arm, bruising her — an incident two gymnasts told The Post they witnessed. And Desiree Palomares, a former All Olympia gymnast, said that when she was around 11, Akopyan slapped her across the face after he believed she had spoken back to him.

Gymnasts also said Akopyan was emotionally abusive, screaming, degrading them and mocking their injuries. And they said Marinova, the gym’s co-owner, emotionally abused and body-shamed them.

---