In April 2016, a few instances of nearby schools failing to report child abuse caught the attention of the investigations team at The Indianapolis Star. The journalists wondered how often it happened, and why.
As one of the reporters, Marisa Kwiatkowski, looked into it, a source tipped her off to a lawsuit accusing U.S.A. Gymnastics, which is based in Indianapolis, of the same behavior. Later that day, The Star put her on an airplane to Effingham County, Ga., fearful that the records would soon be sealed.
She returned with almost 1,000 pages of documents. She and two other reporters, Mark Alesia and Tim Evans, dug in. …
NYT – Belatedly, The Indianapolis Star Gets Its Due for Gymnastics Investigation
Category: ethics
Lauren Hopkins on Nassar
A different perspective on how that con man fooled so many people for so long.
The first time I got a message from Larry Nassar, I felt honored. I was a college student just beginning what would eventually become a career writing about gymnastics. In the gym world, I was nobody. And the world-famous doctor for the U.S. women’s national gymnastics team wanted to talk to me?
… I am not a gymnast. Nassar never treated me, and every in-person exchange we shared was professional and friendly. I never wondered why he “chose” me to be his gossip buddy, but I loved all of the inside intel he gave me. And, like thousands of others, when I first heard about sexual abuse accusations against him, I thought, “Larry?! No way.” …
Larry Nassar Was A Master Manipulator, But He Didn’t Act Alone
Lauren is one of the experts being consulted by general media.
USAG Board resigns en masse
I believe it had to be done. In fact, this may not be enough.
It might be better and easier to start over with a brand new Gymnastics USA organization. Trust and sponsorships might be restored more quickly.
Yes I know some of those Board members are wonderful people who will be badly missed during the impending vacuum.
MSU Athletic Director resigns
Michigan State AD Mark Hollis resigns: ‘It’s the right time to let people heal’
I’m thinking he hopes to avoid the tough questions about former head coach Kathie Klages.
AT&T suspends USA Gymnastics sponsorship
AT&T has suspended its sponsorship of USA Gymnastics in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal, the company announced on Tuesday.
AT&T joins Procter & Gamble, Hershey’s and Under Armour as sponsors that have left the beleaguered national governing body since December. …
victim impact statement quotes
Brianne Randall:
“I was a 17-year-old that reported your abuse to police in 2004. You used my vulnerability at the time to sexually abuse me. I reported you to police immediately and had a rape kit done … you had the audacity to tell [police] I misunderstood the treatment because I wasn’t comfortable with my body. How dare you? Sadly they took your word instead of mine.”
Jordyn Wieber:
“Even though I am a victim, I won’t live my life as one. I am an Olympian.”
Mattie Larson:
“I was at the height of my career at 19 and the Olympics were just a year away and I just couldn’t take any more of the abuse. I was broken. Larry, my coaches, and USA Gymnastics turned the sport I fell in love with as a kid to my personal living hell.”
Makayla Thrush:
“Nobody should ever have to question their doctor, especially one who was the doctor for the US Olympic team.”
United States Olympic Committee on Nassar
#BetterLateThanNever
USOC recommends all past USAG Board members resign.
Actually … USOC gives USA Gymnastics board six days to resign or federation will be decertified
The board also must “substantively discuss” at each of its meetings how the federation is progressing in implementing 70 recommendations made by former federal prosecutor Deborah Daniels, whose review of USA Gymnastics found a “complete cultural change” was needed. It must then report its progress to the USOC.
The USA Gymnastics board was quick to accept all of Daniels’ recommendations, but it has been slow to implement them.
Chief Executive Officer
United States Olympic Committee
Scott Blackmun:
To Team USA:
The athlete testimony that just concluded in the Nassar hearings framed the tragedy through the eyes of the victims and survivors, and was worse than our own worst fears. It was powerful because of the strength of the victims, survivors and parents, who so eloquently and forcefully told their stories and so rightfully demanded justice. The USOC should have been there to hear it in person, and I am deeply sorry that did not happen.
The purpose of this message is to tell all of Nassar’s victims and survivors, directly, how incredibly sorry we are. We have said it in other contexts, but we have not been direct enough with you. We are sorry for the pain caused by this terrible man, and sorry that you weren’t afforded a safe opportunity to pursue your sports dreams. The Olympic family is among those that have failed you.
I know this apology is not enough. We have been working on taking steps at the USOC and mandating changes among National Governing Bodies to ensure this does not happen again. Our next steps will be these:
1. We Must Change the Culture of the Sport.
2. We Must Change the Governance Structure of the NGB.
3. We Must Know Who Knew What and When.
4. We Must Support Safe Sport Victims and Survivors.
NCAA investigating Michigan State University
The MSU President has resigned after 13 years.
At least a dozen former Spartan athletes — from the gymnastics, volleyball, rowing, softball and track and field programs — were among the women and girls who gave victim-impact statements during Nassar’s sentencing hearing.
That was a major reason the NCAA sent Hollis and Michigan State University a letter of inquiry this week to begin an investigation into the athletic department’s handling of the Nassar situation. …
Who will be key figures at center of NCAA investigation at Michigan State?
Larissa Boyce
In Nassar’s first year working at MSU, 1997, a gymnast from a local club team that worked out on campus accused him of sexually assaulting her in his MSU office and at Jenison Fieldhouse. Boyce reported it to Klages and says she was told she would face “serious consequences” if she reported Nassar to police. Boyce was the first victim known to have told an MSU employee about Nassar’s abuse.
Debbie Van Horn is gone
Debbie Van Horn’s tenure with the federation ended Monday, the email said. It was sent to USA Gymnastics staff by Mark McCreary, the federation’s chief administrative officer, and titled “Notice.” The email did not specify if she had been fired or if she’d resigned.
On Tuesday, 2010 world team member Mattie Larson said in court that Van Horn had been in the room “many of the times” that Nassar abused her. …
Trainer who worked alongside Larry Nassar no longer with USA Gymnastics
teal ribbons in support of abuse victims
UCLA wore teal ribbons last weekend in support of Jordyn Wieber and all victims of sexual abuse.
Jordyn made her victim impact statement in Lansing MI and made it back in time to coach the meet next day.
Stanford, Bridgeport, Whitewater, NIU, La Crosse, Washington, Bowling Green, Ursinus, and Lindenwood were also spotted sporting teal.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 