After the Louisiana State University gymnastics team’s season opener in Utah was disrupted by rowdy fans, the university hired a bodyguard for star athlete Olivia Dunne.
According to the New York Post, Jay Clark, the team’s coach, said a security officer would be posted at the hotels where the athletes stay.
According to Clark, the bodyguard will be stationed outside the athletes’ hotel and will help them get to and from their bus.
He said the team’s goal is to be accessible to its fans while maintaining a safe environment.
The paper also reported that the university is considering restricting the access of athletes to the stands following meets.
This would allow them to interact with their families and enter the areas directly behind the judges.
Although the university wants to make sure that athletes have time with their families, they will no longer be allowed to go into the stands. They will also only be allowed to interact with spectators over the rail.
The team had initially planned on addressing the issue before last week’s incident.
During the gymnastics season opener at the University of Utah, fans shouted for Dunne despite her injury. They also carried signs that said “We want Olivia” and “Go Dunne.”
Other athletes’ routines were disrupted by the actions of the fans. A video of the crowd showed a group of men chanting “We want her” and carrying signs that said “Go Dunne.”
The mother of a member of the team, Jillian Hoffman, posted a message on social media, accusing the spectators of being disrespectful.
According to her, the fans called her daughter “Livvy 2.0,” and they also made derogatory comments about her appearance.
Dunne, who is a junior at the university, is one the highest-earning female athletes in the country. On3, it estimated that she makes around A$3 million annually playing sports.