Nassar survivors call for Congress to investigate USOC, USA Gymnastics amid report of more inaction

Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Nassar survivors call for Congress to investigate USOC, USA Gymnastics
Former gymnasts, who were all victims of Dr. Larry Nassar, called on Congress for an independent investigation into the scandal and role played by USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Former gymnasts, who were all victims of Dr. Larry Nassar, called on Congress for an independent investigation into the scandal and role played by USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee.

The women who were made up of Olympic medalists and former national team gymnasts announced their call for action Tuesday afternoon in Beverly Hills. Their request for an investigation comes after the release of a report commissioned by the USOC.

"It's hard enough to tell our story again and again and again, but it's even more difficult to continually hear news of more people who knew about this and didn't do anything," Jordyn Wieber said.

The report found two of the committee's top executives - USOC CEO Scott Blackman and Chief of Sports Performance Alan Ashley - were told of the allegations of sexual misconduct involving Nassar in July 2015. But, according to the report, they never said anything to anyone else or confirmed it was reported to law enforcement.

"This report makes it abundantly clear if it was not so already - that little girls were not worth anything to USOC and to USAG," Rachael Denhollander said.

The USOC issued a statement.

"The USOC board commissioned this independent investigation because we knew we had an obligation to find out how this happened and to take important steps to prevent and detect abuse. We now have a much more comprehensive view of individual and institutional failures," it said.

USA Gymnastics also issued its own statement.

"We are indebted to the brave women who came forward and have made our sport safer by speaking out against the horrific acts of Larry Nassar. USA Gymnastics is one of the organizations that let them down, and we are working to regain their trust and that of the entire gymnastics community," it said.

Nassar is serving 40 to 175 years in prison for the sexual abuse.

USA Gymnastics said it will take additional measures as needed after reviewing the report. The USOC said it has already implemented a number of changes and initiatives, including new leadership.

Still, the survivors said they are calling on lawmakers because the only way to get to the bottom of things is to have a truly independent investigation.