[goofball]

I think this article, and you, are blowing things way out of proportion. I worked as a gymnastics coach all through high school and college and never had a hint of a problem. In my current daily life I only see kid around the apartment complex usually at the pool. I usually talk to kids that are around and playing and again, never a hint of a problem. If kids are scared of you they're scared of you, whatever. It's not a big deal, they'll just run away. You certainly can't make trouble for yourself talking to kids though; you haven't done anything wrong.