World Olympic Gymnastics Academy#WOGA Classic
{{Short description|Gymnastics}}
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{{Infobox sports team
| name = WOGA
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| sport = Gymnastics
| founded = 1994
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| city = Frisco, Texas{{cite web | title=WOGA Gymnastics | website=WOGA Gymnastics | date=2022-11-16 | url=https://www.woga.net/ | access-date=2022-12-03}}
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| owner = Yevgeny Marchenko, Valeri Liukin
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The World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) is a two-facility gymnastics club located in Frisco and Plano.
In 1994, WOGA was established by Yevgeny Marchenko, a World Sports acrobatic champion who guided Carly Patterson to her gold medal, and Valeri Liukin, a Soviet Olympic winner from 1988 who later worked as coordinator for the USA Gymnastics women's national team.{{cite web |title=World Olympic Gymnastics Academy – About Us |url=http://www.woga.net/about-us/ |work=WOGA |access-date=2019-03-06 |archive-date=2020-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808025419/https://www.woga.net/about-us/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://woga.net/meet-the-staff/ |title=Meet the Staff |publisher=WOGA |access-date=21 Jan 2016 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111122116/http://woga.net/meet-the-staff/ |url-status=dead }}
Edouard Larov, a former coach of Liukin and the USSR and Canadian national teams, also trained gymnasts at the club.{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/2008-08-17-liukin-all-around_N.htm|title=Liukin|newspaper=USAToday|archive-date=2014-01-15|access-date=2014-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115104421/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/2008-08-17-liukin-all-around_N.htm|url-status=live}}
In 2003, WOGA gymnasts Patterson and Hollie Vise won two individual medals and contributed to the first team gold for the United States at the World Championships.{{cite web|url=https://gymnasticsresults.com/2003/w2003wqt.html|title=37th World Championships Artistic Gymnastics|work=Gymnastics Results|date=August 24, 2003|access-date=March 6, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307054048/https://gymnasticsresults.com/2003/w2003wqt.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1232|title=Postell, Hatch, Patterson Added To World Championships Team|work=USA Gymnastics|date=August 5, 2003|access-date=March 6, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307054356/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1232|url-status=dead}} In 2004, Patterson became the second American gymnast to become the women's Olympic all-around gymnastics champion, and the first American to do so in a non-boycotted Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/sports/summer-2004-games-gymnastics-women-s-all-around-20-years-later-next-mary-lou.html|title=SUMMER 2004 GAMES -- GYMNASTICS: WOMEN'S ALL-AROUND; 20 Years Later, the Next Mary Lou Takes Her Place|work=New York Times|date=August 20, 2004|access-date=March 6, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307055847/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/sports/summer-2004-games-gymnastics-women-s-all-around-20-years-later-next-mary-lou.html|url-status=live}}
WOGA hosts an annual meet at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas,{{cite web|url=https://www.visitfrisco.com/events/annual-events-and-festivals/|title=Annual Events & Festivals|publisher=Visit Frisco|access-date=2021-12-18|archive-date=2021-12-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218170448/https://www.visitfrisco.com/events/annual-events-and-festivals/|url-status=live}} which has competitions from level 1 to 10 and an international elite competition that has featured competitors such as Mira Boumejmajen, Marine Brevet, Madeline Gardiner, Laurie Hernandez, Katelyn Ohashi, and Jordyn Wieber.
Notable gymnasts
{{Further|List of World Olympic Gymnastics Academy alumni}}
WOGA is home to four Olympic champions: Patterson (Athens 2004),{{cite web |date=August 27, 2004 |title=Patterson Wins GOLD In All-Around |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1194 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307054124/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1194 |url-status=dead }} Nastia Liukin (Beijing 2008),{{cite web |date=August 15, 2008 |title=Liukin wins gold, Johnson silver in women's all-around at 2008 Olympic Games |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=2340 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010053802/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=2340 |url-status=dead }} Madison Kocian (Rio 2016),{{cite web |date=August 9, 2016 |title=USA wins team gold in women's gymnastics at 2016 Olympic Games |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=19080 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803050918/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=19080 |url-status=dead }} and Hezly Rivera (Paris 2024).{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/live/2024-paris-olympics-simone-biles-suni-lee-star-as-team-usa-takes-gold-in-womens-team-gymnastics-150003093.html|title=2024 Paris Olympics: Simone Biles, Suni Lee star as Team USA takes gold in women's team gymnastics|date=July 30, 2024|work=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=July 30, 2024|archive-date=July 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730195414/https://sports.yahoo.com/live/2024-paris-olympics-simone-biles-suni-lee-star-as-team-usa-takes-gold-in-womens-team-gymnastics-150003093.html|url-status=live}}
Additionally WOGA is home to seven world champions: Patterson (2003),{{cite web |date=September 12, 2003 |title=USOC Honors Gymnasts Chellsie Memmel and Paul Hamm and USA Gymnastics World |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1225 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307112304/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1225 |url-status=dead }} Hollie Vise (2003), Liukin (2005, 2007),{{cite web |date=November 26, 2005 |title=Liukin wins world bars title; USA claims 3 more medals |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1138 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307054316/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=1138 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |date=September 6, 2007 |title=U.S. women win team title at 2007 World Championships |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=294 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031092920/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=294 |url-status=dead }} Ivana Hong (2007), Kocian (2014, 2015),{{cite web |date=October 8, 2014 |title=U.S. women win second straight World team title at 2014 World Championships |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=15063 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025127/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=15063 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |date=October 27, 2015 |title=USA wins third straight women's team title at 2015 World Championships |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=17505 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928001316/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=17505 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |date=October 31, 2015 |title=Kocian shares uneven bars gold medal at World Championships |url=https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=17539 |work=USA Gymnastics |access-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808034934/https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=17539 |url-status=dead }} Alyssa Baumann (2014), and Skye Blakely (2022, 2023).
Other notable artistic gymnasts include Irina Alexeeva, Vanessa Atler, Rebecca Bross, Briley Casanova, Madray Johnson, Brenda Magaña, Grace McLaughlin, Konnor McClain, Ohashi, Levi Ruivivar, McKenzie Wofford, and Glenn McCuen. A notable acrobatic gymnasts is Axl Osborne.
Sexual assaults and alleged abuse
=Sexual assaults=
In 2003 and 2004, WOGA coach Christopher Wagoner fondled and raped 14-year-old Natasha Crabb. Police launched an investigation in 2005 after Wagoner had left the gym. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and was sentenced in 2006 to 15 years in prison.
After Wagoner pled guilty, Crabb and her family sued WOGA's owners, alleging that the gym had failed to properly screen and supervise the coach. The suit did not seek a specific amount of money from the academy owners and did not accuse them of abuse. Bill Boyd, the gym's attorney, said all instructors receive a criminal background check and that the gym was not aware of any accusations until after Wagoner had left.{{cite web |title=Coach pleads guilty to sexual assault of gymnast |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/gymnastics/id/2594703 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=11 August 2018 |archive-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811195326/http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/gymnastics/id/2594703 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news| issn = 0190-8286| last = GLICK| first = JULIA| title = Gymnast Sues Over Alleged Sexual Abuse| newspaper = The Washington Post| access-date = 2018-01-24| date = 2006-09-08| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/08/AR2006090801310.html| archive-date = 2018-01-25| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015217/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/08/AR2006090801310.html| url-status = live}}{{Cite news| title = Former Gymnastics Coach Gets 15 Years| work = AP Online| access-date = 2018-01-24| date = 2006-09-19| url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1Y1-98208411.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015435/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1Y1-98208411.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2018-01-25 |via=HighBeam}} In 2008, WOGA and Crabb settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Marisa Kwiatkowski, Mark Alesia and Tim |title=USA Gymnastics coordinator Valeri Liukin's gym not immune to criticism for abuse |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/02/11/larry-nassar-usa-gymnastics-sexual-abuse-dr-larry-nassar-dr-nassar-rachael-denhollander/310129002/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025170643/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/02/11/larry-nassar-usa-gymnastics-sexual-abuse-dr-larry-nassar-dr-nassar-rachael-denhollander/310129002/ |url-status=live }}
=Alleged abuse of gymnasts=
In 2022, the U.S. Center for SafeSport launched an investigation into allegations of abuse of gymnasts by WOGA founder Liukin. "Multiple gymnasts allege Liukin routinely berated, belittled, and screamed at them, that he forced them to compete and train on broken bones or when they were ill, and in some cases they were fat-shamed daily," wrote the Orange County Register, citing a Southern California News Group investigation published in March 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Another ex-WOGA gymnast alleges she was abused by Liukin |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2022/03/22/another-ex-woga-gymnast-alleges-she-was-abused-by-liukin/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025170747/https://www.ocregister.com/2022/03/22/another-ex-woga-gymnast-alleges-she-was-abused-by-liukin/ |url-status=live }} Liukin remained under investigation as of January 2023.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Valeri Liukin, front-runner for top USA Gymnastics post, is being investigated for alleged verbal and mental abuse |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2022/03/03/valeri-liukin-front-runner-for-top-usa-gymnastics-post-is-being-investigated-for-alleged-verbal-and-mental-abuse/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025171807/https://www.ocregister.com/2022/03/03/valeri-liukin-front-runner-for-top-usa-gymnastics-post-is-being-investigated-for-alleged-verbal-and-mental-abuse/ |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|woga.net}}
- {{cite web|url=https://turismoesalute.it/combattere-lansia-lo-stress-e-la-paura-dellacqua-con-il-woga/|title=Combattere l'ansia, lo stress e la paura dell'acqua con il Woga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005050830/turismoesalute.it/combattere-lansia-lo-stress-e-la-paura-dellacqua-con-il-woga/|archive-date=2017-10-05|url-status=dead}}]
Category:American companies established in 1994
Category:Gymnastics clubs in the United States
Category:Gymnastics venues in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex
Category:1994 establishments in Texas
Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 1994