USA Gymnastics will hold the '20 Olympic team trials in St. Louis, which is an "indication it believes it will be able to remain" the sport’s NGB, despite the USOC taking steps to strip USAG of its status following the Larry Nassar scandal, according to Nancy Armour of USA TODAY. The USOC's efforts to decertify USAG were "put on hold when the federation filed for bankruptcy in December." USOC VP/Communications Mark Jones in a statement said that the USOC has "not challenged the stay" in hopes it will give USAG time to "reach a settlement in civil lawsuits filed by Nassar survivors" (USATODAY.com, 4/23). Newly hired USAG President & CEO Li Li Leung said that she has "been in close contact with the USOC and is confident her organization will still have the power to select the U.S. Olympic team next summer." USAG's contract for the '20 trials "includes a clause that hands the event over to the USOC" if its NGB status changes (AP, 4/23).
TURNING THE PAGE: Leung said her priority is "coming to a fair and full resolution with the survivors." Leung: "That is my utmost priority, and then outreach with the community in terms of speaking with all of our stakeholders and community coaches, gymnasts, parents, club owners to understand their perspective on things.” She added, "I do believe that you will see that we will show we are caring about our athletes.” Leung said USAG recently had a sitdown with the Survivors Community Council, which was the first time that USA Gymnastics "has had direct dialogue” with them. Leung: "I stressed multiple teams in the meeting I want to reach out to the survivors, I want to embrace them and I want to hear from them” (“Today,” NBC, 4/24).
