Is there a future role for USA Gymnastics?

U.S. Olympic Committee seeks to end status as sport’s governing body

Now that the U.S. Olympic Committee has started the process to revoke recognition from USA Gymnastics as the national governing body for the sport, questions remain about the organization’s future and the path forward for the athletes. Here’s what we do know.

What’s next? USA Gymnastics has not yet lost its recognition as the NGB for the sport, but the USOC’s action Monday starts a process that could, and likely will, lead to that. The USOC will select a three-person panel, which will be chaired by a USOC board member and include a representative from the NGB council and athlete advisory council.

At a hearing that panel will hold, USA Gymnastics will have the oppor-

tunity to “present factual evidence and legal argument regarding the allegations of the complaint,” according to the USOC bylaws.

The panel will issue a report to the USOC board of directors afterward and make a recommendation on what action the board should take.

USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland can also submit a report to the board.

The USOC board will issue a final decision.

Under the USOC’s bylaws, there is no timeline for the process.

What does that mean for current gymnasts?

The American women qualified their spot for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 by winning team gold in the world championships last week. While the USOC’s action cast uncertainty on the organization’s future, Hirshland assured gymnasts that the USOC would continue to support them.

“We will ensure support for the Olympic hopefuls who may represent us in Tokyo in 2020,” she wrote.

That includes Simone Biles, who claimed six medals in the world championships in her return to international competition.

Until USA Gymnastics loses its recognition, it can continue to run its elite programs.

The women largely train with their individual coaches and convene for national team camps, which have been few this year, while the men run a residency program at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs and also meet for camps.

If USA Gymnastics loses its recognition, the USOC will work to recognize another NGB for the sport. The USOC puts forth the teams for the Olympics, but the NGB would have to be up and running to run a selection process to choose those teams.

What will happen to USA Gymnastics?

That’s unclear. Even without USOC recognition, the organization could continue to operate competitions. In that scenario, it would lose its power and cachet as being the pipeline to Olympic competition and likely at least some of its membership.

The organization could also fold. It has been in mediation with the victims of Larry Nassar’s abuse since the spring, and it has sued its insurers to cover its liability. USA Gymnastics lost all of its sponsors and is in a much more difficult financial position. It’s possible the organization could file for bankruptcy.

What’s next for gymnasts competing internationally?

USA Gymnastics has a team competing in the world trampoline and tumbling champion- ships, beginning Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Russia.

National teams for artistic gymnastics are entering a downtime in their schedules, with no major competitions until next year. The American Cup is scheduled for March 2 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

What’s the reaction from the gymnastics community?

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, who has been an advocate for sexual abuse victims, says she’s in favor of the USOC’s actions. “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 wrote on Twitter.

Two-time Olympic medalist Jonathan Horton said he’s also pleased with the USOC’s move Monday. “Now, we can really come together as a community and make this sport the way we want it,” Horton tweeted.