USA Gymnastics' Entire Board Has Resigned Following the Larry Nassar Sexual Abuse Scandal
Following the sentencing on Wednesday of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics’ entire board of directors is resigning, according to an ESPN story published Saturday. Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct and admitting he abused his position as a trusted doctor. More than 150 people, including former Olympians McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, gave powerful impact statements in court leading up to the sentencing.
After the sentencing, the United States Olympic Committee put pressure on USA Gymnastics to remove their existing board with the threat of decertification—essentially stripping them of their position as gymnastics’ “governing body,” according to ABC—if the board didn’t resign in full by January 31.
The executive board, made up of four members, resigned on Monday. At the time of the sentencing, there were 16 other members in place (all of whom are unpaid volunteers), according to ABC. Then on Friday, USA Gymnastics issued a statement implying that they intended to comply with the USOC’s ultimatum: “USA Gymnastics supports the United States Olympic Committee’s letter and accepts the absolute need of the Olympic family to promote a safe environment for all of our athletes. We agree with the USOC’s statement that the interests of our athletes and clubs, and their sport, may be better served by moving forward with meaningful change within our organization, rather than decertification.” A spokesperson for USA Gymnastics confirmed the mass resignation with ABC.
The USOC also is asking USA Gymnastics to create an interim board by the end of the month; to install a permanent one in the next year; to accept more oversight from USOC; and to undergo ethics and SafeSport training (the USOC partner organization addresses sexual misconduct, assault, and bullying, among other topics).
The USOC’s letter does not imply that any board members were complicit in covering up the abuse of gymnasts by Nassar: “We do not base these requirements on any knowledge that any individual USAG staff or board members had a role in fostering or obscuring Nassar’s actions,” the letter reads, according to ABC. “Our position comes from a clear sense that USAG culture needs fundamental rebuilding.”
Related Stories:
–The First Gymnast to Expose Nassar Writes Powerful Op-Ed: ‘Nothing Could Have Prepared Me’
–How to Talk to Children About Abuse in the Wake of the Larry Nassar Trial
–‘It Ends Today’: The Survivors of Larry Nassar, in Their Own Words