Olympic figure skater accused of intimate punishment apologized to girl’s mother

The caretaker of the 13-year-old American female figure skater whom presumably had been sent two lewd pictures from French Olympic pairs skater Morgan Cipres in 2017 told United States Of America TODAY Sports that she received a long apology from Cipres almost a month following the so-called event.

Cipres, whom then ended up being 26, happens to be accused by the woman and her parents of direct texting two photos of their penis on Instagram on Dec. 3, 2017 to your woman, whom skated during the rink that is same Wesley Chapel, Fla., as Cipres. USA TODAY Sports has evaluated those communications, that have been delivered from just just just what seems to be Cipres’ verified account.

The U.S. m.camster Center for SafeSport is investigating the allegation, in line with the girl’s parents and email messages acquired by United States Of America TODAY Sports, which first reported the probe on Dec. 10.

French figure skater Morgan Cipres is under research by the U.S. Center for SafeSport after presumably giving lewd photographs up to a 13-year-old girl. (Picture: Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP via Getty Pictures)

The lady along with her moms and dads stated that Cipres’ coaches, John Zimmerman, a 2002 Olympian and person in the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and Silvia Fontana, a 2002 and 2006 Olympian representing Italy, tried to keep carefully the family members from reporting the incident that is alleged authorities by shaming and threatening your ex as Cipres prepared when it comes to 2018 Winter Olympics. Zimmerman and Fontana, who will be hitched to one another, additionally coached the girl that is 13-year-old as did Cipres on event.

Your ex and her moms and dads aren’t being identified because USA Sports does not publish the names of alleged victims of sexual abuse today.

Zimmerman and Fontana have actually rejected the allegations, while Cipres stated he had “nothing to say concerning this allegation. ”

Into the apology, that was presumably delivered Dec. 30, 2017 from Cipres’ Instagram account and had been acquired by United States Of America TODAY Sports, Cipres asked the girl’s mom when they could you will need to “forget bad things” during what he called the “stressful and difficult” Olympic season.

“I’m giving you an email due to just what occurred with (girl’s title eliminated) and I also, ” the message started. “i would like first to apologies (sic) about my stupid things we did. It absolutely was reckless from my part and I also do actually regret my work. I am hoping we could be all right on this. And so I am asking your apologies sincerely and”

Cipres failed to state why he had been apologizing or exactly exactly exactly what he particularly did which he thought needed an apology.

Their message continued: “It ended up being always a moment that is good just work at the rink along with your daughter and I’m thankful for the trust you give me. I’m actually sorry and I’m (sic) wished to inform you all this. Please accept my apologies. Morgan”

Then he delivered another message: “It’s additionally a beneficial minute for me personally, in 2010 is actually stressful and difficult because of Olympics but I desire it is possible to comprehend might work each day and respect most of the best I’m wanting to do in my own life. Thats (sic) why i am hoping we could remain in a term that is good and me personally and merely wanting to forget bad things. … i’m requesting all this with my heart. I’m actually sorry once again. ”

Finally, he included this in a 3rd message: “I’m ready to come quickly to satisfy you in individual in person to talk you can tomorrow. About any of it if”

The child’s moms and dads declined Cipres’ offer to satisfy, your family’s lawyer, Andrea Lewis, told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday.

Seven months later on, Cipres along with his pairs partner Vanessa James completed 5th during the Olympic Games in Southern Korea.

Cipres’ apology arrived simply hours following the girl’s tutor emailed the girl’s psychologist, Dara Bushman, who not just worked with all the woman, but additionally caused Cipres, James and of a dozen other skaters at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Fla.

Within the email, that has been sent at 7:17 a.m. Dec. 30, 2017, the tutor composed to Bushman:

“Please ask her to generally share with you the numerous statements which were designed to her within the last couple weeks (mostly by John) so that they can manipulate or frighten her into maintaining peaceful. She’s got been told that telling will put a target on the straight straight back with French fans, that she actually is the kind of woman would you this (accumulate pictures), that she’s got been asking because of it by her clothes alternatives, that her dad is definitely an attorney and imagine exactly what he can do if he realizes, that she’s going to destroy their job and that of their partner, and more. ”

Bushman told United States Of America TODAY Sports that after getting the e-mail, she first called the girl’s mom, then made telephone calls to Child Protective Services and Zimmerman and Fontana.

“i needed to be sure the kid had been safe, ” Bushman said.

On Aug. 10, 2019, a pal associated with girl’s household reported the allegation to SafeSport after reading three-time U.S. Champ and 2014 Olympic team medalist that is bronze Wagner’s story of alleged intimate abuse in United States Of America TODAY Sports on Aug. 1.

SafeSport representative Dan Hill stated he cannot verify an energetic research per the corporation’s policy.

Wagner’s allegation against previous U.S. Pairs champ John Coughlin ended up being the newest in a series that is startling of punishment allegations and suspensions which have rocked figure skating in 2019.

Coughlin, 33, passed away by committing committing committing suicide Jan. 18, 1 day after he received an interim suspension system from SafeSport. United States Of America TODAY Sports has stated that there have been three reports of intimate abuse against Coughlin, two of those involving minors. Coughlin’s death effortlessly finished the investigation into those reports, SafeSport announced in February. Wagner’s situation is split from those three reports.

Zimmerman, 46, had a career that is illustrious among the top U.S. Pairs skaters in years. He and partner Kyoko Ina finished fifth during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and in addition won three U.S. Nationwide pairs games in addition to 2002 world championship bronze medal. He and Ina had been inducted to the USFS Hall of Fame on 5, 2018 january.

Fontana, 43, is really a five-time Italian champion that is national singles skating.

Cipres, 28, along with his pairs partner James have actually won six French nationwide titles, the 2018 globe championship bronze medal, the 2018 Grand Prix Final therefore the 2019 championship that is european.

Zimmerman and Fontana are nevertheless coaching in the Wesley Chapel rink, while Cipres nevertheless trains during the rink, but is doing in skating programs this in Europe month. Rink owner Gordie Zimmermann would not get back a voicemail message comment that is seeking.