Lawsuit: Maroney paid by USA Gymnastics to stay quiet

Olympic gymnast McKayla Maro

ney claims in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that USA Gymnastics tried to prevent her from publicly accusing former team doctor Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges Maroney was forced to sign a confidentiality agreement as part of a financial settlement that she needed to pay for psychological treatment.

The Wall Street Journal reported Maroney’s settlement was worth $1.25 million. In her lawsuit, Maroney claims USA Gymnastics “had a plan to keep the sexual abuse of Nassar quiet, and allow Nassar to quietly leave USAG; further silencing his victims.” USA Gymnastics confirmed the confidentiality agreement but said in a statement it had been requested by Maroney’s previous attorney, Gloria Allred: “(Allred) approached USA Gymnastics, requesting that the organization participate in a confidential mediation process. USA Gymnastics cannot speak to the mediation process, which is confidential and privileged under California law. The process culminated in a settlement agreement that included a mutual non-disclosure clause and a mutual non-disparagement clause.” USA TODAY asked Allred for clarification about who initiated the confidentiality agreement. She replied “No comment” via email. John Manly, Maroney’s current attorney, told ESPN that his client willingly signed the settlement. But he also said she was emotionally traumatized at the time by news that other gymnasts had suffered similar abuse. Maroney needed the money to pay for “lifesaving psychological treatment and care,” which coerced and pressured her into signing the confidentiality agreement, according to the lawsuit. Maroney, an Olympic gold medalist, violated that agreement when she revealed on Twitter in October she had been sexually abused by Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison this month after pleading guilty to child pornography charges.

‘Russia’ to appear on uniforms

The word “Russia” will appear on the Olympic uniforms worn by the athletes granted an exemption from the country’s doping ban at the Pyeongchang Games. More than 200 athletes are set to compete in South Korea as an “Olympic Athlete from Russia” if they can prove they are not tainted by doping. The International Olympic Committee published guidelines for restrictions around use of “OAR” on approved uniforms. “Russia” cannot be more prominent than the words “Olympic Athlete from.” The logo proposed by the IOC features the complete phrase around a circle, with Russia upside down.

❚ American skier Mikaela Shiffrin beat Petra Vlhova of Slovakia in the final to win a World Cup parallel slalom race. The defending World Cup champion followed up her victory in Tuesday’s giant slalom on the same course in Courchevel, France, to extend her sizable overall lead this season.

N.C. A&T top HBCU team

North Carolina A&T, by virtue of its 21-14 win against Grambling in the Celebration Bowl, is the unanimous No. 1 and the HBCU national champion with the release of the final BOXTOROW Coaches Poll. “I told my coaches when we met before the start of camp that this might be the best team I’ve ever coached, and look how it turned out,” N.C. A&T seventh-year head coach Rod Broadway said. “We’re 12-0. We’re Black college national champs for the second time in three years, and our seniors walk out of here with 40 wins and five rings. That’s special.” Two-time defending SWAC champ Grambling is second.

❚ Notre Dame has indefinitely suspended wide receiver Kevin Stepher

son and running back C.J. Holmes from football-related activities. Coach Brian

Kelly announced the suspensions Wednesday. The reason was not provided, but WNDU-TV reported Stepherson and Holmes were caught shoplifting.