When defamed USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar pled guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual misconduct, the fallout from the scandal had just begun. Many of Nassar’s victims and their legal teams highlighted the alleged complicity of the schools and organizations that employed Nassar. Now, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman is taking one of these organizations, the U.S. Olympic Committee, to court for precisely that. Raisman is one of the more than 100 women who accused Nassar of sexual abuse.
The gold medalist filed a lawsuit against the committee on Wednesday in California. In it, Raisman accuses the U.S. Olympic Committee of failing to respond to the multiple abuse allegations against Nassar. In a statement, Raisman said, “I refuse to wait any longer for these organizations to do the right thing. It is my hope that the legal process will hold them accountable and enable the change that is so desperately needed.”
According to Raisman, a USA Gymnastics trainer was present during specific instances where Nassar abused young gymnasts. Raisman also that the committee flat out ignored her allegations against the disgraced sports doctor, and threatened her not to share her story. In an interview with ESPN in January, Raisman said, “I was told [by USA Gymnastics] to be quiet.” The athlete explained, “[I ]think that when somebody in high power is telling you to be quiet, right when they realized you are abused, I think that that is a threat. USA Gymnastics just said, ‘We’re handling this. We got this. Like, stop asking us questions.’” Raisman also said of the USOC, “I don’t think they care. I don’t think they’re sorry.”
It’s worth noting that USOC CEO Scott Blackmun resigned on Wednesday following a cancer diagnosis. John Manly, who represents many of Nassar's accusers said in a statement that under Blackman’s leadership “USOC has focused nearly all its efforts on money and medals while the safety of our athletes has taken a back seat.”
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