Wasserman (l) helped lead L.A.'s initial bid to host the '28 GamesGETTY IMAGES
An attorney for 180 survivors of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse called on LA '28 and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti to put the city’s partnership with the USOC "on hold until the extent of a potential cover-up and the USOC’s knowledge of the abuse is fully determined," according to Scott Reid of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Attorney John Manly "sharply criticized" LA '28 Chair Casey Wasserman for "not speaking up during a sex abuse scandal that has garnered global attention, cast a shadow over decades of Olympic success by American gymnasts and now threatens the very existence of USA Gymnastics and the USOC." Manly said, "The Mayor and Mr. Wasserman often speak for women’s causes, for women’s rights and for young women, getting young women involved in sport. And those are all laudable things. Strangely the Mayor and Mr. Wasserman have been completely mute when it comes to supporting these women. They haven’t said a word. Perhaps that’s because their partner in the LA 2028 Games is the United States Olympic Committee. Mr. Mayor you can’t have it both ways. You need to speak up and Mr. Wasserman you need to speak up and hold your partner to account." Wasserman in a statement said, "The sexual assaults perpetrated within the US Gymnastics program are terrible and appalling." He added, "It is extremely concerning that opportunities to protect athletes were missed. ... The prompt action of the USOC’s new leadership this week is an important start." Garcetti in a statement said, "What happened to these athletes is unconscionable, and I support the survivors and their call for a full and transparent investigation. I have said before that those who were aware of Dr. Nassar’s horrific abuse and did nothing, must be held accountable" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 12/12).
COMING FORWARD: In DC, Sally Jenkins notes the USOC is "beginning to self-confess" following the release of Monday's report by law firm Ropes & Gray into the USA Gymnastics scandal. Jenkins: "I’ll admit, I had no confidence that the independent report it commissioned ... would be substantive." Investigators Joan McPhee and James Dowden "deserve credit for a thorough and unstinting 233-page document." Incoming USOC BOD Chair Susanne Lyons also deserves credit, as without her "imprimatur the report presumably would not have been so frank, or action so swift," with USOC Chief of Sports Performance Alan Ashley’s prompt firing as soon as it was released. The power of the report is its "comprehensive grasp and vivid description of the whole rotten, febrile 'ecosystem that facilitated criminal acts'" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/12).
TIME TO LEAVE: In Colorado Springs, Woody Paige writes Lyons and the 14 remaining USOC board members "should resign." All of them have been "smeared and sullied by a series of the worst scandals in the history of the United States Olympic movement." Paige: "Enough of the USOC BS." Lyons "doesn't deserve to be a major party of any solution or the the USOC" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 12/12).
