“We need an independent investigation of exactly what happened, what went wrong, and how it can be avoided for the future”, Raisman said.
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“It’s clear if change is left up to these organizations, history will repeat itself.”
The Karolyi Ranch, once famed as a breeding ground of champions, is now tainted by revelations of sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. He already has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes.
“He touched the most innocent places on my body”, said 17-year-old Jessica Thomashaw, recounting how she was sexually assaulted at ages 9 and 12.
More than 100 women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by Nassar.
“I will not rest until every last trace of your influence on this sport has been destroyed like the cancer it is”, she said. I was wondering if you had any comment about the whole issue. Maybe they’re separating to go to a training camp, or at least for many weeks out of the year, they are away. He also worked for Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. Can’t you see how disrespectful that is?
Nassar “is a sick man”, Posthuma-Vanderveen said. Not only why did they wait for 20 years but why did they – Larry Nassar has been under scrutiny for some time now.
“Abusers, your time is up”, Raisman said.
Wieber described how Nassar established a friendship with her and her teammates, bringing them coffee and food when they were in the midst of intense dieting, which she later recognized as grooming techniques.
Simon said she was extremely sorry for everyone whose lives had been negatively affected by Nassar, and said his betrayal and broken promises have held enormous ramifications. Maroney continued that her worst experience happened in Tokyo when she was 15. “My overall message was, and remains, that I have tremendous admiration for the courage the survivors have shown, and that Larry Nassar has permanently damaged the lives of so many people and deserves all the punishment that he receives”.
“The current gymnasts should not have to live in anxiety and fear as I did”.
After blasting Nassar, Lemke spoke directly to MSU President Lou Anna K Simon and members of the gymnastics community, including John Geddert of Twistars, USA Gymnastics and former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages, telling them they were just as culpable.
“You then pulled my shorts down”, said Kara Johnson.
Now, a parent of one of Nassar’s victims has come out against Izzo.
Raisman said Nassar had abused her since she was a little girl, including at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Michigan State University’s board of trustees yesterday asked the state’s attorney general’s office to conduct an outside review. “I am angry with myself for not recognizing the abuse and that’s something I’m struggling with today”. Perhaps it was because nobody wanted to imagine what it took for them to stand up and say what they did. “I know we will all get through this together”. A tearful Markham said her daughter quit gymnastics when she was 13, suffered from depression and took her own life in 2009. “I am an Olympian”.
Jordyn Wieber and Raisman in court.
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Mary Ann Georgantopoulos is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in NY.
