I wasn’t personally affected by VKF but reading her sanctimonious quotes after reading how she abused another gymnast made me so angry. I can only imagine what survivors feel when they see their abusers being quoted and celebrated as heroes.
I think Kondos Field positioned herself as a "savior" and sees herself as one. Beckerman didn't see her as one, and how can you not appreciate your savior? So she had to be made an example of.
Frankly, Kondos Field comes across as a boundary-buster in that "positive" article. Touching someone when they don't want to be touched is classic grooming behavior. From the Wieber article:
Miss Val says instantly when she saw Wieber and her mother, she ran up to them to give them kisses and hugs — tying that to her Greek roots and culture — but Wieber wasn’t an overly affectionate person at that time . . .“ I look at her, as I have my arm around her, ‘Jo, you need to get used to this, I already love you like one of my girls,’” Miss Val recalls saying to her at the time.
I can easily see Kondos Field, as a narcissistic covert abuser, aptly described in Harpy's Child.
It is an important story and I'm glad Alyssa spoke up, but....the more stories like this get told, I feel it will dilute the takeaway that physically abusive coaches and criminal behavior by coaches are known and tolerated by parents, administrators and police.
Beckerman's story was on social media, right? It hasn't been picked up by major media and is not distracting from the discussion about criminal behavior. But I think it's good that Beckerman and others who allege "only" emotional abuse, like Hernandez, are speaking up. Gymnastics needs a complete overhaul, not just a few criminals locked away. The fact that Haney was punished sends a strong message that abuse in all its forms is not going to be overlooked anymore.