Both Aly Raisman (l) and Simone Biles have been outspoken on USAG's handling of the Nassar casegetty images
USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland yesterday moved to revoke USA Gymnastics’ status as a member governing body, effectively a death penalty for the organization as it continues to flounder in the wake of the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal. “You might be asking why now?” Hirshland said in an open letter to the gymnastics community. “The short answer is that we believe the challenges facing the organization are simply more than it is capable of overcoming in its current form. … Even weeks ago, I hoped there was a different way forward. But we now believe that is no longer possible.” Since hundreds of athletes accused Nassar of molesting them, USA Gymnastics and the USOC have come under pressure for not doing more to stop him. Former USAG CEO Steve Penny resigned under pressure in March ‘17, and the entire USAG BOD was dismissed in ‘17 and reconstituted earlier this year. Nassar is now serving at least 125 years in prison. Penny’s replacement, Kerry Perry, lasted just nine months and resigned days after Hirshland called for changes. The USAG BOD’s attempt to replace her with former U.S. Congress member Mary Bono lasted just four days before Bono withdrew under intense criticism from athletes such as Simone Biles.
ENTIRE SPORT TO FEEL IMPACT: The implications are vast for the entire sport of gymnastics, affecting virtually every grassroots club and Olympic-level athlete in the U.S. Hirshland in her letter acknowledged the uncertainty revocation would pose, but promised the USOC will work to support individual gymnasts at all levels. If USAG’s status is revoked, the USOC would take over direct operations of Gymnastics until a new organization successfully obtains USOC membership. “We are developing both a short- and longer-term plan and will communicate it as soon as we can,” she said. “The clearest answer I can provide is that gymnastics as a sport will remain a bedrock for the Olympic community in the United States.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The next steps, as outlined in the USOC bylaws, is that a three-person panel will hear the USOC’s case against USAG, including a response from USAG. The panel will issue a report to the USOC BOD, which has final authority. USOC bylaws refer to this panel as “independent,” but it will be appointed by Hirshland and consist of one USOC BOD member, a member of its Athlete’s Advisory Council, and one member of the National Governing Body Council. There is no time frame stated in the bylaws or Hirshland’s letters. Hirshland said she gave USAG the option of voluntarily giving up its recognition. In a statement, the USAG board did not indicate its next steps. “USA Gymnastics is carefully reviewing the contents of this letter and is evaluating the best path forward for our athletes, professional members, the organization and staff,” the statement reads.
