Olympic champ sues to uncover settlement
Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney was forced to sign a confidential settlement with the group that trains U.S. Olympic gymnasts to keep allegations that she was sexually abused by team doctor Larry Nassar a secret, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.
After suffering sexual abuse and “years of psychological trauma,” Maroney reached a settlement with USA Gymnastics in December 2016, but the terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed in court papers. Her lawsuit seeks to invalidate parts of the settlement, arguing it violated California law and that USA Gymnastics “had a plan to keep the sexual abuse of Nassar quiet.”
Her attorney, John Manly, said she had been abused between 50 and 100 times by Nassar.
Olympics
RUSSIA GOING TO GAMES >>
The word “Russia” will appear on the Olympic uniforms worn by the athletes granted an exemption from the country’s doping ban.
More than 200 athletes are set to compete in Pyeongchang as an “Olympic Athlete from Russia” if they can prove they aren’t tainted by doping. The IOC published guidelines for restrictions around the use of “OAR” on uniforms.
The decision to ban Russia came after the country was found to have run a sophisticated doping program at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Soccer
ERTZ WINS AWARD >> Former Santa Clara star Julie (Johnston) Ertz has been named U.S. Soccer’s female player of the year after a breakout season as a central midfielder. The top-ranked Americans went 7-0-1 to end the year with Ertz moving from a defender to having a bigger role in the offense. She scored six goals this year to almost equal her overall total of eight from four previous years on the national team. Ertz beat out Megan Rapinoe for the award.
MLS WELCOMES NASHVILLE >> Major League Soccer is expanding its presence in the southeast, awarding Nashville the first of two new expansion franchises. Nashville and Sacramento have been viewed as the favorites for the league’s newest teams, with Cincinnati and Detroit the other finalists. A decision on MLS’ 25th team is expected within a few weeks.
PERU GETS GOOD NEWS >> Peru captain Paolo Guerrero will be eligible for next year’s World Cup after FIFA reduced his suspension for doping from one year to six months.
LAPOINTE OUT OF RUNNING >>
Paul LaPointe has been eliminated from contention in the election to succeed Sunil Gulati as U.S. Soccer Federation president, leaving eight candidates for the Feb. 10 vote.
Baseball
BRITTON SUFFERS INJURY >> Orioles closer Zach Britton ruptured his right Achilles tendon in offseason training, a significant injury that could cause him to miss part of the 2018 season. Britton has converted 135 of 145 save opportunities over his career.
METS EXTEND ALDERSON >> GM Sandy Alderson was given a contract extension by the Mets, the length of the deal unspecified.
Tennis
VENUS NOT AT FAULT >> Florida police say no charges will be filed against Venus Williams or the other driver for their crash last June that killed a man.