At Olympic Team Trials, U.S.A. Gymnastics Gets Warm and Fuzzy

Just before this week’s United States Olympic gymnastics team trials, a very eager worker flew to the host city of Minneapolis with protein treats, a collection of colorful bandannas and a stuffed turtle. Upon his arrival he was given a U.S.A. Gymnastics badge to wear around his neck, identifying him as “Goodest Boy.”

His name is Beacon, and he is a 4-year-old golden retriever therapy dog with soft blond fur that smells like champagne and raspberry shampoo. His job is to destress the American gymnasts at their major events, including trials, the competition that will determine the United States team for next month’s Paris Olympics.

“Beacon, I just love you so much!” the national team gymnast Joscelyn Roberson said as she laid down next to him for 30 minutes after a training session at the recent national championships in Fort Worth. “He’s so cute! I’ve already told people that this is the best thing that U.S.A. Gymnastics can do for us.”

Beacon, handled by his human, Tracey Callahan Molnar — who is a former rhythmic gymnast and a longtime coach — plays a warm and fuzzy role in an effort by U.S.A. Gymnastics to promote a culture that protects the well-being of its athletes.

For decades, the culture was just the opposite: At every level of the sport, it was not uncommon for tyrannical coaches to scare young athletes into subservience and silence as they — or other adults — abused those gymnasts physically, emotionally, or both.

In 2016, a sexual abuse scandal involving a former national team doctor, Lawrence G. Nassar, shed a bright, harsh light on what was happening, prompting sponsors to drop U.S.A. Gymnastics. Nassar is now in prison for molesting hundreds of girls and women.