Maroney: Doc molested me
Two-time Olympic medalist McKayla Maroney says she was molested for years by a former USA Gymnastics team doctor, abuse she said started in her early teens and continued for the rest of her competitive career.
Maroney posted a lengthy statement on Twitter early yesterday that described the allegations of abuse against Dr. Larry Nassar, who spent three decades working with athletes at USA Gymnastics but now is in jail in Michigan awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
Nassar also is awaiting trial on separate criminal sexual conduct charges and has been sued by more than 125 women alleging abuse.
Maroney, now 21, says the abuse began while attending a U.S. National team training camp at the Karolyi Ranch north of Houston, Texas. Maroney was 13 at the time and wrote that Nassar told her she was receiving “medically necessary treatment he had been performing on patients for over 30 years.” Maroney did not detail Nassar’s specific actions.
Maroney, who won a team gold and an individual silver on vault as part of the “Fierce Five” U.S. women’s team at the 2012 Olympics in London, said Nassar continued to give her “treatment” throughout her career. She described Nassar giving her a sleeping pill while the team traveled to Japan for the 2011 world championships. Maroney says Nassar later visited her in her hotel room after the team arrived in Tokyo, where he molested her yet again.
Maroney says she decided to come forward as part of the “#MeToo” movement on social media that arose in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Baseball: Twins decline Perkins option
The Minnesota Twins told reliever Glen Perkins they will decline their $6.5 million option on his contract for 2018 and pay him a $700,000 buyout, moving Perkins closer to retirement.
The 34-year-old three-time All-Star will become a free agent able to sign with any team, including the Twins, but the lefty has said he’s not interested in pitching elsewhere.
With 120 saves, Perkins is third on the franchise’s all-time list. He pitched in only 10 games the last two years because of shoulder trouble.
Colleges: Louisville fires AD Jurich
By a 10-3 vote, Louisville trustees fired 20-year athletic director Tom Jurich in the wake of its involvement in a national federal investigation of college basketball.
Vince Tyra was named acting AD since Oct.3, a move the Athletic Association approved on Monday before firing basketball coach Rick Pitino . . ..
Boston College freshman running back A.J. Dillon and Assumption senior quarterback Marc Monks were this week’s Gold Helmet Award winners, presented by the New England College Football Writers.
Dillon rushed for 272 yards and scored four touchdowns in a 45-42 upset of host Louisville. Monks threw for 319 yards and four scores as the Greyhounds pounded Saint Anselm, 55-10.