Aly Raisman, Dominique Moceanu applaud USOC’s move against USA Gymnastics.
Olympic gold medalists advocating new leaders for U.S. governing body
Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman and Dominique Moceanu joined the list of elite gymnasts Tuesday supporting efforts by the U.S. Olympic Committee to withdraw recognition of USA Gymnastics as the sport’s governing body.
Raisman, who won three gold medals in 2012 and 2016, and Moceanu, a member of the 1996 goldmedal team, have been among the more strident critics of USA Gymnastics as the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal has unfolded over the past two years.
“It is a tough and confusing time for our sport, its athletes and the fans,” Moceanu said in a statement. “But it’s also a time of great hope.
“I look forward to the gymnastics community emerging from all of this better and stronger — with a new leadership that has its priorities in order. Our sport must never compromise on the safety of its athletes again.”
Moceanu, a longtime critic of former national team coordinator Martha Karolyi’s role in team selection and training, has not commented on whether she would want to be involved on a board or executive level should the USOC revoke USA Gymnastics’ role.
Raisman, who has a pending lawsuit in California against the USOC and USA Gymnastics, said on Twitter that removing USA Gymnastics as the sport’s governing body “is a significant step forward that is necessary for the overall health and well-being of the sport and its athletes.”
“Change is not easy, and the unknown can be scary, but we need to do whatever it takes to ensure nothing like this ever happens again,” she said. “There are so many amazing, talented, and kind-hearted people in this sport, and it’s time for them to lead us into the future!”
Sarah Hirshland, USOC’s chief operating officer, said Monday that the USOC will continue to support Olympic track athletes as the 2020 Olympics approach but also said a new governing body for gymnastics needs to serve the needs of local gymnastics clubs.
Kevin Mazeika, the former men’s Olympic coach who owns two gyms in Houston and will open a third next year, said the business of gymnastics on a recreational level continues in the wake of Monday’s announcement, as it has during the two years that concern over the Nassar scandal has dominated discussion within the sport.
“We’re still teaching cartwheels and flips to thousands of kids on a daily basis,” Mazeika said. “The clubs are the foundation, and they need to be fully engaged on every level. That is where the work is done, and that is where our future world and Olympic champions will come from.”
Hirshland on Monday noted that USA Gymnastics has struggled over the past two years “to change its culture, to rebuild its leadership and to effectively serve its membership. You deserve better.”
“I’m with her,” Mazeika said of Hirshland’s comments. “It was a good call to start this process.”
Dan Baker of Stars Gymnastics in Houston said the elite program is “just the tip of the spear” for gymnastics in the U.S., with local clubs providing recreational programs for young gymnasts, some of whom eventually will achieve elite and Olympic status.
He said that while gymnastics participation usually ramps up in the year after the Olympics and then subsides until another Olympic year rolls around, participation continues to be good at his gym in west Houston.
Meanwhile, USA Gymnastics has a 24-member team this week in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the world trampoline and tumbling championships. Competition continues through Sunday.