How one simple word ruined the career of a children's gymnastics coach and turned his life upside down

Must not describe female gymnasts as "beautiful" (????)

A gymnastic coach's reputation is in ruins after he was accused of sexually objectifying teenage girls in an email because he used the word 'beautiful'.

Lindsay Nylund, 65, was sacked from his role as a coach at the City of Canada Bay Council's Five Dock Leisure Centre, in Sydney 's inner west, in May.

The renowned Aussie gymnast, who competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics and won medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, had worked at the centre for about two-and-half-years.

But Mr Nylund landed in hot water when he sent an email about his gymnastics team following a competition win.

'Hi all, Our beautiful FDLC Level 8 Women's Artistic Gymnasts,' he wrote in the email dated February 19.

'All achieved a top six apparatus placing in their respective divisions at the first state trial competition of the year.'

The director of community, culture & leisure, Russell Wolfe, said in a follow-up email: 'Thanks for the update Lindsay - congratulations to everyone involved.'

But that same email resulted in Mr Nylund's termination as he was being accused of sexually objectifying his team because he used the word 'beautiful'.

Mr Nylund is now unemployed and has struggled to come to terms with the accusation.

'It's traumatic because for a children's gymnastic coach, that's probably the worst thing someone could accuse you of doing,' he told A Current Affair.  

The father-of-three believed at the time that it was a 'terrible mistake'.

When asked about his thoughts on those who might consider his comment inappropriate, Mr Nylund said it was 'political correctness gone a bit too far'.

'I mean, I think the word beautiful could be used in a wrong context, absolutely,' he said. 'But when you look at the context in the way it was used, no normal person would read that and think that's inappropriate.'

During an interview with broadcaster Ben Fordham on Sydney 2GB radio earlier this month, Mr Nylund said he was 'traumatised' when he was notified of the accusation via a letter.

'For a children's gymnastic coach, it's probably the kiss of death for your professional reputation and character,' he said.  

The City of Canada Bay Council also accused My Nylund of showing a 'lack of respect towards centre management' when he allegedly permitted a one-week membership fee freeze when it was supposed to be two weeks.

He was also accused of having an 'unapproved dinner' with the parents of his gymnasts and transporting his team in a car without parent approval to a social event at a local club, which the council said broke Child Safe Practice guidelines.

Mr Nylund has rejected the allegations made by the council.

The council wouldn't comment specifically on the matter.  'The City of Canada Bay does not comment on staffing matters,' a spokesperson said in a statement.

'Additionally, as this matter is subject to legal proceedings the City of Canada Bay is unable to provide comment and will continue to treat all information as confidential.'

Mr Nylund has taken the case to the Industrial Relations Commission. A four-day hearing will be held in mid-November.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12618729/gymnastics-coach-beautiful.html

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