Photo: Facebook
She is accusing her late skating partner of abuse.
By Amy Lamare — Written on May 25, 2019
Bridget Namiotka and John Coughlin were a figure skating pair who skated together for three years from 2004 to 2007. In 2005, Namiotka and Coughlin placed fifth at the Junior Grand Prix and won the silver medal at the U.S. Championships. In 2007, they placed ninth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. In 2011, with a different partner — Caitlin Yankowskas — Coughlin won the U.S. Championship for pairs figure skating. On January 18, 2019, John Coughlin committed suicide. Now, his former partner Bridget Namiotka is accusing Coughlin of sexually abusing her for two years. In a Facebook post she wrote: "I’m sorry but John hurt at least 10 people including me. He sexually abused me for 2 years. Nobody innocent hangs themself [sic].” Who is Bridget Namiotka?
1. She started skating with him when she was 14
Bridget Namiotka is now 29-years-old. She is a native of West Chester, Pennsylvania. She started skating with Coughlin when she was 14 and he was 18. He moved from Kansas City to Delaware, where Bridget was based. After her initial accusation on Facebook, she wrote a number of other posts about the abuse including: "Grooming happens. It happened to me and he hurt a lot of girls. Think about the victims. Think about all of the girls he hurt.” Another message read: “Someone that’s innocent doesn’t hang himself. Think about the victims when you’re speaking up for what he did to at least 10 girls” and “Think about all of the girls he hurt."
2. Coughlin's Eligibility Restricted
The U.S. Center for SafeSport, an organization that investigates bullying and physical and sexual abuse in sports, put John Coughlin on restricted eligibility a month before his death. He was being investigated for three allegations of sexual misconduct. The day before he killed himself he was suspended by SafeSort and removed from his position as a brand ambassador. He hung himself at his father's home in Kansas City. He was 33-years-old.
3. She took a break from skating
In 2007, Bridget was quoted on U.S. Figure Skating's website talking about the end of her skating partnership with Coughlin. She said: "I love competing and going to competitions; it’s the every-day skating that has made me want to take a break. It’s no one’s fault. I am a lot younger than he is, so he doesn’t want the break. I feel like I need it right now.”I couldn’t have expected anything better skating with John. We came a long way, and I want him to find a great partner. I definitely want to skate again, and hope to find a new partner, too. And until then, I can skate whenever I want to.” Namiotka wanted to focus on finishing high school.
4. Coughlin's agent called her unstable
Coughlin's former agent Tara Modlin spoke to USA Today about Namiotka's allegations. She said: “It seems that you want me to comment on an unstable persons (sic) Facebook comment – I don’t really understand your question. ...my suggestion is to call some of his other partners..."
5. She has an attorney
Bridget Namiotka is represented by John Manly who also represented the 200 victims of gymnastics coach Larry Nassar. Manly also represents the three women alleging that Coughlin sexually abused them. Two of them were minors at the time. He told USA Today, “My clients and I want to make this clear: John Coughlin used his position of trust and power and prominence in figure skating to sexually abuse multiple minors, three of whom I represent.”
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long-distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.