Gymnasts confront their abuser in court
Gymnasts and other victims of a disgraced former sports doctor stepped forward in a Michigan courtroom Tuesday to recount the sexual abuse and emotional trauma he inflicted on them as children.
Nearly 100 victims are expected to address the court in Lansing during the fourday sentencing hearing for 54-year-old Larry Nassar. Many cried as they told their stories on the hearing’s first day, and some requested anonymity. Others unleashed.
“I testified to let the world know that you are a repulsive liar and those ‘treatments’ were pathetically veiled sexual abuse,” victim Kyle Stephens said to Nassar.
Stephens said Nassar repeatedly abused her from age 6 until 12 during family visits to his home in Holt, near Lansing. She said he rubbed his genitals on her and digitally penetrated
her, among other abuse.
She said Nassar denied it, and her parents initially believed him. Stephens said she largely blamed her father’s suicide on the shame and self-loathing he felt for defending Nassar.
“Perhaps you have figured it out by now, but little girls don’t stay little forever,” Stephens said. “They grow into strong women that return to destroy your
world.”
The judge consoled the 29 women and girls who spoke or had their statements read on Tuesday, saying they should not blame themselves. More victims will speak today.
Nassar has pleaded guilty to molesting females with his hands at his Michigan State office, his home and a Lansing-area gymnastics club. He also worked for Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians.
Cycling
MERCKX TO BE HONORED AT 2019 TOUR DE FRANCE >> The start of the 2019 Tour de France will honor Eddy Merckx in his hometown of Brussels. Known as “The Cannibal” for his ferocious taste for victory, Marckx won the first of his five Tours in 1969.
“I wore the yellow jersey 96 times. It is the best memory of my career,” Merckx said during Tuesday’s presentation of the Grand Depart on the opening weekend of the three-week Tour.
Merckx also won a record 34 Tour stages and is among four riders who won the Tour a record five times.
Soccer
BRAZIL’S RONALDINHO OFFICIALLY RETIRES >> The brother and agent of 2005 Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho announced Tuesday that the former Brazil and Barcelona playmaker has retired.
Roberto Assis made the announcement to Brazilian media on behalf of the 37-year-old midfielder, who played his last professional match in 2015 for Brazil’s Fluminense.
Assis hopes to schedule some farewell matches for Ronaldinho after the World Cup in Russia, which ends July 15.
Baseball
ROYALS PITCHER PLEADS GUILTY TO DUI >> Royals pitcher Danny Duffy has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in a Kansas City suburb and has been placed on a year’s probation.
Duffy, a left-hander who underwent surgery in October and is expected to be ready for spring training next month, went 9-10 with a 3.81 ERA over 24 starts in the first season of a five-year, $65 million contract extension.
METS BRING BRUCE BACK ON 3-YEAR DEAL >> Jay Bruce and the New York Mets have finalized a $39 million, three-year deal to bring his big bat back to Queens.
Bruce, 30, had a careerhigh 36 home runs along with a .254 average and 101 RBIs last season. He hit 29 of those homers with the Mets before an August trade sent him to Cleveland.
College football
WSU QB DIES OF APPARENT SUICIDE >> Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 21-year-old Hilinski was discovered in his apartment after he didn’t show up for practice Tuesday. The Pullman Police Department says a rifle “was recovered next to Hilinski and a suicide note was found.”
Hilinski, who just completed his sophomore season, started Washington State’s Holiday Bowl loss to Michigan State after Luke Falk was unable to play.