The world of sports in Mexico has been embroiled in a new controversy. Former gymnasts from Nuevo León, Fernanda López and Camila Flores, have revealed that they were victims of sexual abuse by their coach when they were children. This brave testimony was shared on International Women's Day through social media, where they detailed that the abuse lasted for at least three years, with Eduardo Damazo Rodríguez Hinojosa being the responsible party.
Eduardo Damazo Rodríguez Hinojosa is known for being a gymnastics coach at the Klass Gym, a business owned by his mother. After the allegations, the gym decided to close its social media profiles upon receiving more reports from women claiming to have suffered similar abuses in the past. Rodríguez Hinojosa was also part of the Gymnastics Association of the State of Nuevo León, but the State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports of Nuevo León (INDE) chose to suspend him due to the number of complaints received.
"Since I was 7 years old, I was sexually, mentally, and physically abused. I do this because I don't want any other girl to go through the same and for my friends whom I love and who still don't believe us," mentioned one of the victims. Fernanda López shared her experience, narrating how they falsely caused her injuries to justify massages that later led to sexual abuse. Despite attempts to silence her, she decided to raise her voice and break the silence that surrounded her.
The bravery of these young athletes has brought to light a painful reality, highlighting the importance of reporting and putting an end to abuse in the sports field. The relevant authorities have taken action and expressed their commitment to protecting the integrity of athletes, reaffirming that they will not tolerate practices that threaten the dignity and wellbeing of the sports community.
