SafeSport issues permanant ban on elite gymnastics coach in latest chapter of long-running case

DENVER (AP) — The gymnastics coach for a one-time Olympic alternate received a lifetime ban Thursday from the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Qi Han, whose case dates to at least 2016 and who had been under a temporary sanction for the past two years, was listed as permanently ineligible, subject to appeal, on the center's disciplinary database.

It said he was found to have committed emotional misconduct, physical misconduct and violated USA Gymnastics policies and bylaws.

Han, a former gymnast on the Chinese national team, and his wife, Yiwen Chen, opened Everest Gymnastics in the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2004. The gym quickly gained prominence within USA Gymnastics. In 2016, Han served as the coach to Olympic alternate Ashton Locklear.

Locklear told The New York Times in 2018 that Han physically and emotionally abused her and at one point threw a cell phone at her. Han denied the allegations.

Several other athletes who trained at Everest came forward over ensuing years, describing similar experiences with Han. As of Thursday night, Han was still listed as the co-owner and head coach at Everest.

In an email sent Friday, Han's attorney said, “we are deeply disappointed by SafeSport’s recent decision.”

“The fact that this investigation took eight years highlights a process that failed to meet the standards of fairness and reliability required when a person’s life and livelihood are at stake,” attorney Missy Own wrote. “Coach Han has dedicated his career to building a highly successful business, earning the respect and admiration of his athletes, and serving as a valued member of our community.”

Details from Han's accusers started coming out the year before the SafeSport Center opened in the wake of extensive abuse committed by former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. The Times reported that USA Gymnastics handed Han's case over to the center shortly after it opened in 2017.

The center’s interim CEO, April Holmes, portrayed the latest development as a sign the center is making sports safer.

“We know it is not easy to come forward, so we thank those who shared their stories and helped bring resolution to this case,” Holmes said. “This outcome sends a clear message that sport culture is changing and accountability is moving the needle.”

In explaining the lengthy amount of time it took to resolve the case, the center said in a statement that it involved more than 80 witnesses, thousands of pages of evidence and transcripts and allegations that span decades. The center said it stood by the fairness and thoroughness of the process but also “remains committed to increasing efficiencies in our process to help resolve cases more quickly.”

AP National Writer Will Graves contributed to this report.

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FILE - Coach Qi Han, left, celebrates with gymnast Haleigh Bryant after after her floor exercise routine during the Nastia Liukin Cup gymnastics event March 2, 2018, in Hoffman Estates, Ill. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)

FILE - Ashton Locklear competes on the balance beam during the women's U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials in San Jose, Calif., July 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano will not return to San Diego FC for a second season.

San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps told reporters Friday that he is working on a departure for Lozano, the 30-year-old Mexican national team mainstay who joined the Major League Soccer expansion club for its inaugural season in 2025 as its first designated player.

Lozano scored nine goals in 27 appearances during the regular season and added two goals in the MLS postseason, but he also was benched late in the season after an altercation in San Diego's locker room.

San Diego finished atop the Western Conference during the regular season, setting MLS records for wins and points by an expansion team, before losing 3-1 to Vancouver in the conference final, with Lozano scoring San Diego's only goal.

“We have communicated with Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of the sporting plans moving forward," Heaps said. "That was not a decision that was taken lightly. That was something that was well talked through from owners down to leadership down to myself and (head coach) Mikey (Varas), and has been communicated with the rest of the group. So we’re working with him and his representatives to find the best solution and the best environment for him moving forward.”

Lozano left PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands to sign a four-year deal with San Diego. He made $7,633,333 last season, ranking fifth among all players in MLS and complicating a potential transfer.

Heaps said Lozano's ability within San Diego’s desired style of play was a factor in the breakup. While Lozano had moments of success, Danish winger Anders Dreyer emerged as San Diego's best player and offensive focal point, scoring 19 goals and earning MLS Best XI honors as the league's newcomer of the year.

Lozano excelled at times in Varas' possession-heavy style of play, but he wasn't included on the roster for two late-season matches amid reports of the altercation in San Diego's locker room. Lozano vaguely apologized for his actions on social media, saying he was "proud to be a part of the club’s journey for many years to come.”

But Lozano returned to the roster largely as a reserve during the postseason, and now the club is moving on without a key attraction in its attempts to win over San Diego's large Mexican-American population.

“There’s no one moment that you can pinpoint,” Heaps said when asked whether the locker room altercation affected the club's decision. “It was more a wholly collective decision that we made on behalf of the group. We’re looking at not only short-term success, but also long-term how this club is built for the future.”

Lozano has been expected to be a part of Mexico's roster for its home World Cup this summer, but he likely will have to find a club landing spot quickly to gain the match sharpness necessary to contribute.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

FILE - San Diego FC midfielder Hirving "Chucky" Lozano (11) plays during the second half of MLS soccer's Western Conference semifinal against Minnesota United Nov. 24, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)