Entire USA Gymnastics board to quit over abuse scandal

CHICAGO (AFP) — The entire USA Gymnastics board of directors will resign in the wake of a sex abuse scandal, as part of the organization’s decision last Friday to comply with US Olympic Committee (USOC) requirements to avoid decertification.

After former US Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar was jailed for up to 175 years for sexual abuse of girls and young women under the guise of treatment, USA Gymnastics promised to meet six requirements outlined by the USOC to remain the sport’s national governing body.

“USA Gymnastics will comply with the USOC requirements,” the organization’s statement read.

Nassar’s victims included Olympic champions Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber and McKayla Maroney. More than 150 women spoke out over a sentencing hearing in Michigan that lasted more than a week.

A trio of USA Gymnastics board of directors top executives — chairman Paul Parilla, vice chairman Jay Binder and treasurer Bitsy Kelley — already stepped down last Monday following stinging criticism by victims of the organization’s handling of the Nassar case.

USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun outlined Thursday what USA Gymnastics must do to remain a governing body, the first of those mandates being for the entire board to resign by the end of the month or face “immediate termination proceedings.”