IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two gymnasts who say they were sexually abused at an elite academy in Iowa have filed lawsuits against the sport’s oversight bodies, alleging they failed to stop Sean Gardner from preying on girls despite repeated complaints about the coach's behavior.

The lawsuits, filed Monday, allege USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Center for SafeSport were told about “inappropriate and abusive behaviors” in December 2017, including that Gardner was hugging and kissing girls and engaging in other grooming behaviors while coaching at a Mississippi gym.

Gardner formerly coached at a Prairieville, Louisiana, gym . Federal prosecutors have not alleged he did anything illegal then, but the FBI in August asked that anyone with allegations or information to come forward. Ascension Parish cour

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