Committee Opens Investigation into Sexual Abuse within USA Gymanastics

WASHINGTON – Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) sent letters to the US Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics, Inc., Michigan State University, Twistars USA Gymnastics Club and Karolyi Ranch regarding sexual assault within the U.S. gymnastics system. 

Excerpts from the USA Gymnastics letter: 

“Sexual assault should never be tolerated, but when it does occur, it is imperative that swift and immediate action be taken to stop the abuse, prevent it from recurring, and address its effects.”

“One of the most disturbing aspects of the survivors’ accounts is how this reprehensible conduct went undetected or ignored for years. Coaches, instructors, law enforcement, and other trusted adults all failed these young athletes.”

“USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for the sport in the United States, is at the center of many of these failures. The Committee seeks to better understand USA Gymnastics’ responsibility to its gymnastics clubs and gyms, its policies and procedures on sexual assault, and the actions it plans to take in response to this pervasive sexual abuse within the sport.”

Full text of the letters can be viewed here.

Background:

• Two weeks ago, former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University (MSU) gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced for sexually assaulting and molesting young female gymnasts under the appalling pretense of medical care.
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• At his sentencing hearing, Nassar was confronted by 156 courageous women who came forward about the crimes he perpetrated against them, and more than 60 additional women testified at another sentencing hearing last week.