Committee apology to Nassar’s victims

EX-COACH LIKELY TO DIE IN JAIL

THE UNITED STATES Olympic Committee has apologised to the victims of disgraced former USA Gymnastics (USAG) doctor Larry Nassar after he was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing gymnasts.

In an open letter to Team USA athletes, USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun also demanded all current USAG directors must resign as part of efforts to “change the culture” which allowed Nassar to abuse gymnasts for many years.

USAG chairman Paul Parilla, vice-chairman Jay Binder and treasurer Bitsy Kelley resigned on Sunday but Blackmun says more must follow after the revelations in 54-year-old Nassar’s trial, which included testimony from more than 150 of Nassar’s victims including Olympians Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Jordyn Wieber. Nassar pleaded guilty to assaulting seven people in the Lansing area, but the sentencing hearing has been open to anyone who said they were a victim.

Blackmun wrote: “The athlete testimony that just concluded in the Nassar hearings framed the tragedy through the eyes of the victims and survivors, and was worse than our own worst fears.

“The USOC should have been there to hear it in person, and I am deeply sorry that did not happen.”

Blackmun added: “This investigation will include both USAG and the USOC, and we believe USAG will cooperate fully.”