Convicted Sex Offender Still Running ArtSports World

A convicted sex offender continues to operate a Colorado Springs gymnastics center, and the head coach who was appointed as manager of operations has been fired.

TARGET 13 has learned that Richard “Tex” Womack was fired by email when he was out of the country at a gymnastics tournament.

After revelations that ArtSports owner Mike Zapp was convicted of second-degree sex abuse in the 1980s and had recently hired coach Doug Boger who was banned by USA Gymnastics because of numerous sex assault allegations, Womack told TARGET 13 in October that he was going to be the new head of ArtSports World.

“It was my understanding that (Zapp) was making me the manager and he was stepping out because of all of this,” said Womack on Tuesday.

Womack, who had worked at the gym six years, said he believes he was let go because of comments to the media after TARGET 13 began investigating ArtSports.

“They’ve used that against me,” said Womack.

Several parents of ArtSports World gymnasts have contacted TARGET 13 with concerns about Zapp and his continued presence at the gym.

“The families feel trapped because ArtSports is the only gym in the area capable of training the kids in this sport, so they are complying,” said one parent by email. “Other facilities are not equipped properly for kids who want to be extremely competitive. I feel uncomfortable having my kids around someone with such horrible judgment.”

The parent did not want to be identified because, “Mike has informed team families that anyone involved in contacting the press will be kicked out of the gym.”

ArtSports is not a member gym with USA Gymnastics, the nation’s sole governing body for the sport.

“We find the developments at ArtSports World troubling for many reasons,” said Leslie King, a spokesperson for USAG.

King went on to say that USAG only has jurisdiction over member gyms, but that it’s working to strengthen its policies.

“USA Gymnastics recently enacted a policy that requires gymnastics clubs and event organizers to become a member club or registered business of USA Gymnastics to receive a USA Gymnastics event sanction, effective January 2012,” said King in an email.

That means that ArtSports will not be able to host USAG competitions.

Womack said that for the past five years the gym has hosted the state meet.

“That won’t ever happen again,” he said. “I’ve been told by USAG that they will not issue ArtSports any sanctions.”

USAG policy also states that only professional members of USAG can coach an athlete at a USAG-sanctioned event.

Mike Zapp has not returned multiple calls for comment in the last weeks.