Larry Nassar, formerly one of the world's foremost sports physicians, is going to be spending the rest of his life in jail—but he's not the only one being punished for more than two decades of sexual misconduct. Now, USA Gymnastics may be fully decertified as a result of his crimes, according to IndyStar.
The U.S. Olympic Committee is insisting that USA Gymnastics make the appropriate changes to their culture and structure to avoid having their certification removed. USOC CEO Scott Blackmun apologized directly to athletes in an open letter, reiterating how sorry he was for the "pain caused by this terrible man." In the letter, he also accepts partial responsibility for the abuse, as many of the victims' testimonies included being dismissed and even pressured by the USOC to keep the assaults quiet. "We have said it in other contexts, but we have not been direct enough with you," the letter said. "The Olympic family is among those that have failed you."
On Wednesday, Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison after over 150 women came forward with their accounts of sexual assault. He expressed remorse for his actions, but the case's presiding judge Rosemarie Aquilina was not moved, also reading a letter written by Nassar in which he claims he was "manipulated into pleading guilty." In the letter, he even questions the validity of his victims' claims; using the phrase "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" in regards to his accusers. "I find that you don't get it, that you're a danger. That you remain a danger," Aquilina told him. "The letter tells me you don't get it."
The additional fallout from the sentencing has been swift, as USA Gymnastics cut ties with the Karolyi Ranch in the past week, a location that served as a training facility where the abuse was reported to have happened. Additionally, three members of the USOC board have stepped down.
Many of the victims report now struggling with depression and anxiety as a result of the abuse, in addition to damaged trust in other health practitioners, and gymnast Mattie Larson even added she attempted to give herself a concussion in order to avoid being treated by Nassar.
"We were ultimately strong enough to take you down," said gymnast Kaylee Lorincz. "Not one by one, but by an army of survivors. We are Jane Does no more." From Lorincz to Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman and Simone Biles to Kyle Stephens, the first to speak during the hearing, and countless others, the number of victims who spoke ballooned from an initial 88 as more women came forward during the process.
“Little girls don’t stay little forever,” said Stephens. “They grow into strong women who return to destroy your world.”
